Dear Sir, Mdme,Irrespective of how one should describe these items and the legal issues, I would certainly go along with the use of the term 'malpractice' to put something of this nature on offer without ANY mention in the sales spiel and description of the object of anything which (despite appearances) would suggest legal origins. If the seller has offered information the auction house is doing them a great disservice not revealing it to buyers as this will keep the price down. If the seller has not offered such information, a truly respectable auction house would not touch the stuff.
Hope this message receives you well. In your forthcoming sale: Pierre Bergé & associés Dimanche 27 novembre à 15h00 Bruxelles COLLECTION 1860-1960 you have several un-provenanced smuggled and looted African Djenne and Nok terracotta's, lot 153, 154, [...] 156, 165, 166, 167
http://www.pba-auctions.com/html/index.jsp?id=11108&np=2&lng=fr&npp=100&ordre=1&aff=1&r= http://tinyurl.com/ctex9ma
As it is strictly forbidden to deal, sell or auction this material I am wondering what your answer is to this malpractice and crime.
sincerely yours, michel van rijn
The letter originally referred to lot 155, but this is a Komaland figure not covered by the same legislation as Nok figures, but this one too seems recently surfaced and therefore of questionable status and origin. They too are on the ICOM Red List.
Vignette: Help us ! (photomontage)
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