Topic: Old or not?

[keith]

Saw this recently with it is a link to a shop,ebay 230537543844,am I getting over cautious in my old age or do these all look like they were made yesterday and bashed about to make them look old and those that do look old is it old wood badly carved ?

[antiquerose123]

Hi keith:
That is a tough call -- but I note that there is NO picture to show the bottom.  Maybe that would give a clue -- like any machine marks, or what the bottom looks like.

I think I would be asking for a photo of the very bottom -- at least -- it is worth a try.....in order to figure out.

Also it they are old -- wouldn't you see some *more dust* in places....and also IF that old, I would think there would be wear, or bang marks on the outer edges for all those years....not so much wear around the foot on the side -- you think there would be more *pit marks* on edges.....as the edges would be the ones exposed to more damage over the years.

Just me thinking out loud -- tough call -- but maybe something to ask the seller.  Pics of bottom, and pics of bottom corners -- to see if any wear.....as that is where I would think the pieces (if that old) would be most vulnerable??

Hope that helped () some

[keith]

Think you're right Rose the edges of the pieces are in very good condition and seem a little too good to be true,I know there are some well made pieces by expert carvers but these worry me to much,ta 

[Anne]

Keith, did you read the FAQ's provided by the seller?

• The offers is original African people art
• The offered items from Africa are between 10 and 60 years old, also from collections.
• Art-afrique is not authorizes to date feats on their exact age

The latter comment puzzles me somewhat...

[keith]

Thanks Anne,no I didn't read those,suppose I should have,that last comment is a bit odd,I think it's that treacle like colour to the pieces that bothers me I get the feeling that some of the 'carvings' are part machine made,you know chain saws,electric stuff as opposed to trad' carving techniques etc...maybe I've got ebayitus from trawling too long looking for bargains

[Anne]

They could well be machine made, 10 years isn't long since, and they could well be current production still.  I'd be cautious also I think.

[keith]

Think I'll give them a miss,picked up better in charity shops and markets,thanks for all the replies,
                                               Keith.

[Anne E.B.]

Hi Rose - where've you been hiding?

[antiquerose123]

Hi Rose - where've you been hiding?

Here -- lol.....Just not enough time in the day.... 

 



I think Keith is right to pass -- I am just not sure of it.  I (think) I smell a Duck !!!

..if it smells like a Duck, walks like a Duck, it is a Duck...

??

http://www.louismcwhinnie.com.au/how-to-spot-a-fake/

http://www.copiesandfakesinart.com/copieefalsiAfricana-en.htm

[Anne E.B.]

Quackers!!!! 

I see quite a few carved wooden African figurines on my travels, and just assume (rightly or wrongly) that they are made for the tourist trade.