Can anyone help me identify Pre Columbian antiques I have?, page 1
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reply posted on 4-3-2008 @ 01:47 PM by Vanitas
reply to post by chromatico


Right.

And if you suspect they are very valuable or of extraordinary interest, you might consider consulting with a Christie's or Sotheby's expert.
(Preliminary consultations are possible via email, provided you have very good photos of the objects.)



reply posted on 4-3-2008 @ 02:43 PM by Vanitas
reply to post by favouriteslave


Really?
Well, in that case I don't blame you if you don't want to do business with them again...

Keep bumping this thread. Maybe there is somebody who could help you.

And, of course, I would still pursue other, more reliable professional avenues, if I were you.
I am sure there are many experts worldwide - but especially in Costa Rica - who would be THRILLED to have a look at your collection.

I think it would be a good idea to research which museums (worldwide) have the most reputable collections of such items, and then contact their curators.
I can't see them refusing to have a look!







[edit on 4-3-2008 by Vanitas]


reply posted on 4-3-2008 @ 07:40 PM by Byrd
The problem is that not much exists from the Diquis -- some gold artifacts, but I don't clearly remember the pottery.

The Museo de Oro ( portal.ins-cr.com/Social/MuseoJade/ ) or Museo de Jade ( portal.ins-cr.com... ) in San Juan, Costa Rica, would be the place to start. Both had some Diqui material, as did the National Museum (which is very tiny. www.museocostarica.go.cr... )

You might be able to send a query to the editor of the museum's magazine:
www.museocostarica.go.cr...

Post some pictures, eh? And see if you can find notes on who collected these items and where they got them from. Provenance is important.


reply posted on 4-3-2008 @ 08:45 PM by RuneSpider
reply to post by favouriteslave

I'm just saying don't hold your breath.

Based on what I've seen, and the fact it's supposed to be from a underepresented society, I think you should proceed with the idea they are fakes or from a later culture.


reply posted on 5-3-2008 @ 06:55 AM by Harte
reply to post by Byrd


Byrd,

It does my heart good to read another one of your posts!

Harte



reply posted on 5-3-2008 @ 02:36 PM by Vanitas
reply to post by hinky


There is nothing wrong with being idealistic, Hinky.

And you're right, of course, insofar art collecting in the past depended heavily on plundered objects. (Which doesn't necessarily mean that was bad for the fate of the objects in question - and consequently for the culture they represented - but that's a different story.)

On the other hand, there were also many cases, world-wide, when perfectly legitimate diggers and even official representatives of local museums - not to mention the local population themselves - offered such objects for a price to anyone interested in them.

Anyway, if the collection in question is a legitimate one - which automatically implies that the objects had not been stolen, certainly not in the recent past (a few generations back) - personally I see no reason why its owner could not profit from it without feeling bad for it.
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