Articles / Collecting Pre-Columbian
How About Buying Abroad?
Great, but first.
Pre-Columbian art has always sold for less in the states, than Europe. They've always had fewer choices of material, it's had further to go, and more hands to pass through, all adding costs. So it's pretty tough to get any bargains there.
Buying from the Americas.
Simply, it's illegal, and they're fakes, look at the ads for Peruvian pieces currently being offered. They have great titles: "The killer God eating fish while riding a dragon bowl" And the long, detailed descriptions of the cultures, and where they were found - pieces only for great collectors - all for $49.00. We've even seen one with a chicken - haven't seen a horse on one yet, but we're hopeful.
There's no reason not to buy any of these, but be aware that it probably can't be shipped 'til the paint dries a little more.