| Original Message: Some Examples of This Syndrome |
|---|
|
I'm composing this message as someone who is not in any way anti-Islam. What is am is anti-poor-information. Over the past twenty-five years I have had numerous dialogues with Middle Eastern and Central Asian bead sellers who deal in "antiquities." Probably more Afghans and Iranians than others. Many times, I have seen trade beads offered for sale as "ancient" beads ("Roman" or whatever). Muslims cannot defile Muslim graves, as this would be a sacrilege; but they have fewer prohibitions with digging-up pre-Muslim sites. When I have told these guys that they are digging up historical graves or sites of less than 200 year's old, they are initially quite aghast—because they don't like the idea of 'digging up grandmother' (or similar horrors). They say, "these beads are ancient! We dig them from the ground--so they cannot be modern." Nevertheless, I can show quite a few examples of typical Venetian trade beads that were so-identified (as ancient), and I do show them in my IBBC paper. At one show I attended at least eighteen years ago, I was shown an oval tabular agate bead, made from beizen (color-enhanced) green onyx from Idar Oberstein. This is a material I easily recognize. He was showing me the bead because he could tell I had an interest in ancient things. He claimed it was an "emerald." In the nicest way possible I told him it was a modern agate. He was adamant it could not be. He showed me a coin and asked if I knew what it was. (Coins are not my area--as we all know.) I said, "it's a coin of Alexander." And they agreed it was. But the gentlemen proceeded to tell me the modern green agate "came from the same place—and so MUST be ancient." And it didn't even look like an emerald.... There's a famous and popular company in New York that sells almost nothing but fake antiquities. I will not mention the name for reasons that will become clear shortly. This company was showing their stuff at an antiquities show, maybe eighteen to twenty years ago, that I attended. One of the sellers was a younger man of around my age, who expressed interest in talking to me. I affirmed that some of his stuff was ancient, but many beads were modern trade beads. He was surprised, but did not reject my information, and seemed genuinely interested. So we talked about trade beads and ancient beads. About a week or so later, I received a telephone call from his uncle or employer, who was very angry that I had disparaged his merchandise—and how dare I say his ancient beads were not ancient! I told him I hadn't (because I only said the modern beads were modern). This was apparently what he wanted to hear, because he did not press the issue. Because of the vehemence of his attitude I was happy to not argue with him—lest I be sued or dispatched by an assassin. Many people, be they sellers or collectors, have strong opinions about their stuff, and fervently believe these things to be genuine and ancient. Unfortunately, belief only goes so far. One needs to be armed with knowledge, exposure to what's in the marketplace, the literature, the history and technology—and to have a healthy dose of skepticism (that does not fall into cynicism). I have said and written repeatedly—the grand proportion of beads we will be offered will be said to be older, rarer, and more valuable than they really are. I cannot change the mind that is made-up. I can only be a voice of reason, and offer to teach anyone who cares. Thankfully, I have met some open people—which almost makes up for the strained and unpleasant exchanges that are more common. Thirty years ago, when I was still a kid, I naively thought that people naturally wanted "the truth" about anything. I learned after a number of experiences that many people do not want their beliefs and views challenged—and would prefer to believe an untruth. At that time, I was a celebrated "amber expert" (though I don't like that title—and my knowledge and interest were already much broader), and I wasted a lot of breath trying to convince people—particularly Africans or people who sold African beads—that I could scientifically demonstrate that their "amber" was plastic. I don't think I was ever successful, until around five years ago, when Abdul Touray did me the courtesy of listening to my opinions, and of changing his perspective. I attempt to make it very clear when I am guessing from the gut, making an educated assumption, or am convinced (as from knowledge and evidence) about what I am saying. I am also the first to admit that I don't know everything—and that no one knows everything. And I also admit when I have made a mistake—and I appropriately revise my thinking when it's warranted. And, more than anything else—now—I do not try to change the minds of people whose minds are made-up. I'm here for the people who want to know. I hope this doesn't sound preachy! I am merely a man with a sincere avocation to help people. As I look back, all of this has come from the first time I had to tell a client that I had sold her a (beautiful) "amber" necklace, made with old plastic beads from W. Africa. I was embarrassed to have placed myself in that position; and I thought it were best if I helped others to not make the same sorts of mistakes. And so it goes. Have a great day! Jamey All rights reserved by Bead Collector Network and its users |
|
|