Featured Just for fun - an Eboo fake

Just because there was mention in another thread of a particular dealer with a Native specialty.
Here is an Eboo listing from Cisc** eboo outlet; listed in the Canadian Aboriginal category for $1500 US.
These panels are imported reproductions, or fakes, retail value around $50. The only indication that they know they are fake is the comment “Contemporary pieces in good condition.”
Without going into details of why it is an obvious fake, I'll mention the lack of photos of the back (which would reveal either that it was a tropical, non-native wood, or had been painted black to disguise the wood, which native carvers past or present would never do). And the fake patina, produced by covering the new carving in gray paint and wiping most of it off. This is an obvious fake, and the seller almost certainly knows this.
Just an illustration that it is always buyer beware.

(Eboo item 267221682205)

 

Another "buyer beware" story: some years back I was at a Seattle auction conducted by a well-known Arizona native art dealer. I noticed a tray of about 30 bone carvings, with the label "Alaska native carvings." I recognized them as well-known fakes, originally produced for beading hobbyists, but commonly sold as genuine native carvings. I pointed this out to the auctioneer, and he simply removed the label, and auctioned the item with the comment "contemporary carvings, most representing Alaskan themes."
Savvy buyers would translate that as "non-native fakes," but those with less knowledge might well still mistake them for genuine native items.
Note that the auction terms clearly stated "no representation is made as to the age, authenticity, or origin of any item."
In any venue, bidders are always responsible for inspecting the auction items and forming their own opinions. And one would hope, with some knowledge and experience, and an attitude of skepticism.

 

I bought one of those in the early 2000's, just to have it on hand .

 

In person it's harder to fool people, but on line with no pictures sometimes..who knows. These don't look right to me, inexpert as I am. The backgrounds look wrong, and the face on the one on the right looks more Pacific islands than Pacific NA.

 

That grey paint looks totally fake too. And they look nothing like the old pieces you see in museums.

 

Living in an area where there is so much of this nartive artwork, it is an obvious fake. If you are in Victoria, make sure to visit the Royal BC Museum. During the tourist season, you can watch native artists at work just outside the museum.

 

These may not have been intentional fakes. I'd almost bet on them being Homegoods or World Market specials with the stickers removed and backs not shown.

 

You would lose that bet ...big time Ruth !!!!



These are carved Bali , Northwest Coast FAKES.
Made to deceive one into thinking they've bought actual 1st Nations art work...!

This has been the bane of the genuine 1st Nations Pac NWC art market since before I started tracking them in the early 90's !!!!!

& for show...here's the worst type of offender..... an auction with real authentic native carvings......... peppered with some of the most widely seen Indonesian fake carvings ...made to look genuine , right out of Washington State , where the average collector would expect to find only legit items.!!!

https://www.girlfriendsestatesales.com/woodinville-estate-sale-2/

( it'll take a few minutes of your time to browse .....as the auction has plenty of other interesting items , but the photo's are big and clear and worth the look...... )

Worth the look !!!!!

Komo

 

I had a look through the offerings. I don't know enough about the NA pieces to judge those, but the Gucci watch was more likely to be fake than real. A lot of the earrings were honest costume, as were the necklaces. The fake watch would make me wonder.

 

There's some that really jump out at me as fake, so that makes me feel good about my learning, a considerable part of which I owe to y'all.