Who Vets the Dealers?

 Incunabula @incunabula 6h

I've defended dealers in the past when they were unjustly attacked, but Pax Romana's new auction is disgraceful - multiple lots of unprovenanced papyri and comically poor descriptions - this "Egyptian codex with Coptic text" is an Ethiopian Ge'ez psalter.

Lot 161: EGYPTIAN CODEX WITH COPTIC TEXT

I am not sure what "unjustly attacked" would mean in the case of antiquities dealers, but Pax Romana is one I've had my eye on some time...

 
This auction is on the invaluable.com aggregator ("The world's leading online marketplace for fine art, antiques and collectibles"). The terms and conditions are noteworthy: 

NONE OF INVALUABLE, THIRD-PARTY CONTENT PROVIDERS, AND THEIR RESPECTIVE AGENTS MAKE ANY WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EITHER EXPRESS, IMPLIED OR STATUTORY, INCLUDING, WITHOUT LIMITATION, WARRANTIES OF TITLE OR IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE OR NON-INFRINGEMENT, WITH RESPECT TO THE SITES, SERVICES, ANY CONTENT OR ANY PRODUCTS OR SERVICES SOLD THROUGH THE SERVICES. [...] Invaluable makes no claims, representations or warranties with regard to the authenticity of any goods sold on its websites. Accordingly, to the extent permitted by applicable law, we exclude all express or implied warranties, terms and conditions including, but not limited to, implied warranties of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, and non-infringement. In addition, to the extent permitted by applicable law, Invaluable (including our affiliates, officers, directors, agents and employees) is not liable, and you agree not to hold Invaluable responsible, for any damages or losses (including, but not limited to, loss of money, goodwill or reputation, profits, or other intangible losses or any special, indirect, or consequential damages) resulting directly or indirectly from the items posted for sale on our websites.

So, basically Wild West. Very Caveat emptor.