How to tell authentic vs fake native/inuit carvings?

In article ,
says...

I have developed an appreciation for both native and Inuit carvings since I
am a beginner, I can't tell the difference between authentic pieces and fake
manufactured ones. Can anyone offer some suggestions on how to detect the
differences before I go on purchase sprees? I know that expensive galleries
will definitely have the real thing but I need to tell the differences in
gift shops and flea markets.



There is a law on the books that makes it
a crime to sell "Indian art" (native American)
as "authentic." But I know of no enforcement
mechanism. In fact, I've heard that the
Chinese named a town RESERVATION so that they
could legally label the art as RESERVATION MADE!
I suppose people in India have the same right
to sell "Inuit" replications as "Indian Made."

Your only protection is the reputation of the
sales outlet, and you're not going to find
that kind of provenance in a flea market, or
in most gift shops. I just read a story somewhere
about someone who bought a "genuine turqouise"
jewelery item, only to have it crack and fall
apart when left exposed to the hot sun - it
was solid "plastic!"

I have developed an appreciation for both native and Inuit carvings since I
am a beginner, I can't tell the difference between authentic pieces and fake
manufactured ones. Can anyone offer some suggestions on how to detect the
differences before I go on purchase sprees? I know that expensive galleries
will definitely have the real thing but I need to tell the differences in
gift shops and flea markets.

On 25 Feb 2004 16:11:20 -0600, (Di Monbak)
wrote:
There is a law on the books that makes it
a crime to sell "Indian art" (native American)
as "authentic." But I know of no enforcement
mechanism. In fact, I've heard that the
Chinese named a town RESERVATION so that they
could legally label the art as RESERVATION MADE!
I suppose people in India have the same right
to sell "Inuit" replications as "Indian Made."

Back in the '70s, when the US was in an Indian jewelery craze, I made
quite a large number of "authentic" Indian pieces for a shop in
Atlanta. I was working my way through college and was paid by the
piece (a pittance at that), while the proprietor was trading these
hand-made pieces for people's old wedding bands and class rings.

When I wasn't cranking them out fast enough to satisfy demand (several
hundred a week), he came around to tell me "Don't polish the back of
the mount; nobody looks at that!"

He had quite a scam going, and every week trade our silver and
turquoise pieces for many pounds of scrap gold. He eventually got
shut down, and left owing me my last paycheck. I still have a bag of
cheap turquoise somewhere in the archives.

It was an interesting lesson. I've never trusted ethnic jewelery
since.



Neil Maxwell - I don't speak for my employer

2/25/04 2:11 PM

In article ,
says...

I have developed an appreciation for both native and Inuit carvings since I
am a beginner, I can't tell the difference between authentic pieces and fake
manufactured ones. Can anyone offer some suggestions on how to detect the
differences before I go on purchase sprees? I know that expensive galleries
will definitely have the real thing but I need to tell the differences in
gift shops and flea markets.



There is a law on the books that makes it
a crime to sell "Indian art" (native American)
as "authentic." But I know of no enforcement
mechanism. In fact, I've heard that the
Chinese named a town RESERVATION so that they
could legally label the art as RESERVATION MADE!
I suppose people in India have the same right
to sell "Inuit" replications as "Indian Made."

This kind of thing goes on in all fields. I poked my head into the back door
of a shop in Santa Barbara years ago and asked the guy, "What are you
doing?" He answered, "Making antiques"
Robert
--
Robert Houghtaling Sculpture and Design
http://www.houghtalingsculpture.com
The Figgy Mountain Frogery
http://www.frogart.com

On 26 Feb 2004 01:26:03 GMT, (Dan Fox) wrote:

My Mexican friends in Taxco, the silver town, tell me that much of the
'genuine Navaho' jewelry sold in the southwest is manufactured in Taxco.

This wouldn't be surprising, though the Taxco style is quite
compelling in its own right. Wherever the money flows, talent will go
to exploit it. There are also Mexican jewelers from other districts
who fake the Taxco style and stamps, for the same reason.

Taxco is one of the few hotbeds of quality silver craft today, and
even their inexpensive pieces tend to have good style and
worksmanship. I'm fond of it.


Neil Maxwell - I don't speak for my employer

I have just been viewing the works of Clifford Possum Tjapaltjarri
(Australian Aboriginal) and the website had reduced the size of
the images to a postage stamp because they said there had been
so much fakery of his work since his death (2002) and they did not
want to give fakers any help.
There is no way out of it. Clever copiers are everywhere and nothing
is sacred. The general "collectables" market usually advises solid
provenance for each item.
Thur

"Pepmax" wrote in message
news
I have developed an appreciation for both native and Inuit carvings since
I
am a beginner, I can't tell the difference between authentic pieces and
fake
manufactured ones. Can anyone offer some suggestions on how to detect the
differences before I go on purchase sprees? I know that expensive
galleries
will definitely have the real thing but I need to tell the differences in
gift shops and flea markets.

"Pepmax" wrote in message
news
I have developed an appreciation for both native and Inuit carvings since
I
am a beginner, I can't tell the difference between authentic pieces and
fake
manufactured ones. Can anyone offer some suggestions on how to detect the
differences before I go on purchase sprees? I know that expensive
galleries
will definitely have the real thing but I need to tell the differences in
gift shops and flea markets.



I'd find the leading academics, museums,etc on it, and see if you can't do a
little research in their archives. Of course in tiny England this is quite
easy to do, might be more work in one of those modern big countries.
cheers,

In article ,
says...


This wouldn't be surprising, though the Taxco style is quite
compelling in its own right.

When I was a kid I could walk across the
bridge into Juarez and buy "silver" jewelry
for a song. Never could figure out why
that "silver" turned my skin blue though.

My favorite was the ring in the shape of
a skull with "real rubies" for the eyes!
Probably cost me a dollar fifty back then.

And believe it or not, I still wear a silver
belt buckle that has a turqouise centerpiece
surrounded by marijuana leaves. At least
it doesn't turn my belly button blue!

----- Original Message -----
From: "Pepmax"
Newsgroups: rec.arts.fine,rec.crafts.carving
Sent: Wednesday, February 25, 2004 3:52 PM
Subject: How to tell authentic vs fake native/inuit carvings?


I have developed an appreciation for both native and Inuit carvings since
I
am a beginner, I can't tell the difference between authentic pieces and
fake
manufactured ones. Can anyone offer some suggestions on how to detect the
differences before I go on purchase sprees? I know that expensive
galleries
will definitely have the real thing but I need to tell the differences in
gift shops and flea markets.



[Why are you buying these carvings? Is it because you like them, or as an
investment? If it's the former, then go ahead and buy whatever you fancy -
just don't pay anything extra for "authenticity". Figure out how much it
would cost to fake one, if you paid the carver a fairly low wage, and don't
pay more than that. It's the piece of art you're collecting, not the
geneology of the person who created it. If you bought it because you really
liked it, then you can be happy every time you look at it (unless your taste
changes). If it turns out to be a fake, you got what you paid for; if an
expert declares it to be authentic, then you can congratulate yourself on
getting a bargain.

If you think of these purchases as an investment, in which case authenticity
is the key to their value; then don't get them at a flea market. There's
really no way to tell by looking at a stone carving what sort of person made
it, if it's reasonably well-made. Buy either from a reputable gallery
willing to provide a provenance or directly from the carvers themselves. If
the carver is only half-Inuit, would that mean you'd only pay half-price? If
it's by a non-Inuit carver who happens to be very good at that style, would
that disqualify it in your view? You'll have to answer these questions for
yourself. I don't think that there's really many fake Inuit soapstone
carvings out there, since the Inuit make a lot of them in those long winter
days, and sell them at fairly reasonable prices (although they may be marked
up several times afterwards).

Generally, though, art is a lousy investment; it's easy to buy but difficult
to sell, especially if you're in a hurry. If you buy it at retail, don't
expect to be able to sell it at the price you bought it for, even years
later. Galleries make money by buying low (if they don't get the goods for
free on consignment) and selling high. There would have to be considerable
price appreciation to make up the difference, which is unlikely in the case
of these fairly generic carvings which are still being produced in
quantity.]

Andrew Werby
www.unitedartworks.com

It's been an interesting discussion so far - just wanted to add that a good
deal of "authentic" Inuit carvings are, in a sense, fake - though they are
carved by Inuit, their production has been turned into a cottage industry
for some northern towns.

If I were you I would stick to the reputable galleries to start, and build
up some research experience, and perhaps some travel time in the North. You
are not likely to find the top quality work in gift shoppes and/or flea
markets.; to get you started, poke around this site:
http://www.houston-north-gallery.ns.ca/
They are one of the best known dealers for Inuit work in the world.

OTOH, you may find work that you do enjoy & can buy inexpensively; work like
that doesn't need a pedigree.

Good luck;

Chris


"Pepmax" wrote in message
news
I have developed an appreciation for both native and Inuit carvings since
I
am a beginner, I can't tell the difference between authentic pieces and
fake
manufactured ones. Can anyone offer some suggestions on how to detect the
differences before I go on purchase sprees? I know that expensive
galleries
will definitely have the real thing but I need to tell the differences in
gift shops and flea markets.