Art Market Monitor

Global Coverage ~ Unique Analysis

  • AMMpro
  • AMM Fantasy Collecting Game
  • Podcast
  • Contact Us

One Man’s $128,000 Online Dale Chihuly Fraud

November 20, 2013 by Marion Maneker

Dale-Chihuly-4

A Seattle man named Michael Little is facing 15 months in prison for selling $128,000 worth of fake Dale Chihuly works online:

Buying generic glass art online and in person, Little then etched Chihuly’s signature into the pieces. He faked supporting documents and concocted stories to explain how he’d come into a surplus of glass art; Little told at least one buyer a relative bought the art after hitting the lottery.

Little also posed as an art appraiser and authenticated his own bogus pieces, as well as faking “certificates of purchase” from a reputable Seattle gallery. One buyer, who paid $35,000 for 100 pieces, was prepared to donate the works to a Gonzaga University art museum.

Dealer of Chihuly fakes facing prison (Seattle Post-Intelligencer)

More from Art Market Monitor

  • NY Cont. Day Sale ResultsNY Cont. Day Sale Results
  • How to Build Character with ArtHow to Build Character with Art
  • Swann African-American SaleSwann African-American Sale
  • Christie's SouthEast Asian Mod+Cont (Highlights)Christie's SouthEast Asian Mod+Cont (Highlights)
  • Sotheby’s Considers Moving NY HQSotheby’s Considers Moving NY HQ
  • I'll Show You Mine, If . . .I'll Show You Mine, If . . .

Filed Under: Fraud, Theft & Restitution

About Marion Maneker

LiveArt

Want to get Art Market Monitor‘s posts sent to you in our email? Sign up below by clicking on the Subscribe button.

  • About Us/ Contact
  • Podcast
  • AMMpro
  • Newsletter
  • FAQ

twitterfacebooksoundcloud
Privacy Policy
Terms & Conditions
California Privacy Rights
Do Not Sell My Personal Information
Advertise on Art Market Monitor
 

Loading Comments...