tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8174756573570334952.post928391570213246692..comments2024-03-27T04:46:33.198-07:00Comments on Portable Antiquity Collecting and Heritage Issues: But is it Art? Collecting Human Body Parts, Legal? Ethical?Paul Barfordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10443302899233809948noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8174756573570334952.post-19655567729434580512010-11-12T14:25:10.067-08:002010-11-12T14:25:10.067-08:00Tell me scarab-collecting "Jessica" if t...Tell me scarab-collecting "Jessica" if that is your real name (hidden profile) do you <b>really</b> think a piece lopped off a human cadaver was produced as "ancient art"? <br /><br /><i>"anyone else's opinions, beliefs, or moral code"</i> <br />but what about the person whose foot this was, and his family? Do you think this is what they envisaged happening to their departed father, brother, uncle, son? We happen to know quite a bit about Egyptian beliefs and basically this person would not happily say" "yes, smash my body up and cart the pieces off", would he? So what right has a dealer or collector to ignore that? Disrespect, disregard that? And for what? I really do not believe the person who bought this is "studying" it. I am sure it is being "owned" and displayed for a cheap thrill, posing maybe as an erudite. <br /><br /><i>"Why is Bob Dodge (a very nice guy, actually) the scapegoat in all of this?"</i> <br />because he chose to be involved in the sale, if he'd been selling goulash made of strangled kittens, do you think we should "not mention it" because despite all that "he's a nice helpful guy"? <br /><br />Why CAN'T we talk about this sort of trade, based on real cases? This is what really happens on the antiquities market. <br /><br /><i>"If you're going to be upset with anyone, direct the blame to the original foot thief.</i>" <br /><br /> it seems to me with things like this with no intrinsic value, but which achieve a value because somebody will buy them without a second thought (because he knows he'll find a similarly unthinking customer), I think the dealer is as guilty as the thief. Decent dealers don't touch dodgy stuff. Decent dealers would not want to be seen offering dodgy stuff. Dealers who will not baulk at selling anything encourage the looters. <br /><br /><i>"Simple supply and demand"</i>. <br />Exactly, stop the demand, and supplying no longer pays. The mummy-smasher having learnt that US dealers will give him cash for a bit of a cadaver is out there with his axe looking for another tomb right now probably. <br /><br /><i>"I'm pretty sure that's the beauty of the United States - freedom to live one's own ideals, so long as one does not violate any laws".</i> <br /><br />Oh wonderful. Ta ra tra tra la la..<br /><br />So it is not in any way illegal to trade in human body bits in the US then? Is that so? Perhaps you could answer the question about this in the blog text. <br /><br /><i>"some people look at that mummified foot and see a rare art form"</i> <br />I see a human foot removed from a grave. And then sold.Paul Barfordhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10443302899233809948noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8174756573570334952.post-83162284353361948602010-11-12T12:38:51.880-08:002010-11-12T12:38:51.880-08:00First, I must say I have purchased from Artemis Ga...First, I must say I have purchased from Artemis Gallery's LiveAuctioneers auctions (and no, I did not buy the foot). I've always been more than impressed with the genuine artifacts they offer and with how upfront, honest and communicative Bob and Teresa are. Most experts are much harder to get ahold of, and not as thorough, candid, or nice as they are. They go out of their way for seasoned collectors and newbies alike. That willingness says an immense amount about a person.<br /><br />With that said, I fully respect human remains. While I would absolutely never own a human foot beyond my own two, I also would never be so presumptuous or arrogant as to assume that my moral code and belief is superior to anyone else's opinions, beliefs, or moral code.<br /><br />Why is Bob Dodge (a very nice guy, actually) the scapegoat in all of this? I'm certain he didn't trot over to Egypt, chop it off, and schlep it back to the USA himself. If you're going to be upset with anyone, direct the blame to the original foot thief.<br /><br />This was someone's collection item, seen as a prized piece of ancient art. Bob Dodge, through Artemis Live, brokered a sale to someone else who wanted it for their collection. Simple supply and demand. He did not break any laws... perhaps he offended you and your moral code, but I'm pretty sure that's the beauty of the United States - freedom to live one's own ideals, so long as one does not violate any laws.<br /><br />The same concept that allows you your opinion of contempt allows Bob Dodge the opinion that brokering this sale was not a moral crisis and also allows the buyer and seller of the foot their respective opinions of the item as art.<br /><br />To 'John' - you must not know Bob. There are many rude things you can call him which are reasonable (I'll even give you pernicious, since he clearly injured some social ideals), but he's not a moron.<br /><br />Please note, I'm in no way affiliated with Artemis Gallery and no one but myself has inspired me to comment or even knows I am commenting. However, after reading all the outcry on this issue, I wanted to throw in my two cents.<br /><br />We each live by our own moral and ethical code. Certainly, I will never chop someone's foot off to display in my parlor (or buy a foot for that matter). But, some people look at that mummified foot and see a rare art form and a small window into history. I'll keep on legally collecting my scarabs, and they can keep on legally collecting their mummified feet. To each his own - that's fine with me.Jessicahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01982825376603711906noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8174756573570334952.post-20487044436010045742010-02-14T02:29:17.476-08:002010-02-14T02:29:17.476-08:00That's really vile.
Bob Dodge: what a pernic...That's really vile. <br /><br />Bob Dodge: what a pernicious moronAnonymousnoreply@blogger.com