Art Market Monitor

Global Coverage ~ Unique Analysis

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

Law Enforcement Scores Publicity Points at Antiquities Dealers’ and Market’s Expense

March 17, 2016 by Marion Maneker

The NYTimes gives voice to some of the frustrated galleries who feel they’re being unfairly treated in the seizures of suspected antiquities:

“Why are they not approaching these galleries instead of treating them like criminals trying to do something underhanded,” he said. The items seized this week were all publicized by their vendors online and in catalogs, he said, not sneaked “in to be sold in some smoky back room.”

The seizures are part of Operation Hidden Idol, a nine-year investigation into antiquities smuggling that officials say has netted more than 2,600 items and reams of data about illicit trafficking. Typically, the authorities say, the smugglers create false paperwork to certify an object was acquired lawfully, often fooling purchasers and other dealers down the line.

The Manhattan district attorney, Cyrus R. Vance, said the raids ensured that items could be confiscated and that alerting dealers beforehand might send the objects underground. Many seized items have been returned to their countries of origin.

Law Enforcement Focuses on Asia Week in Inquiry of Antiquities Smuggling (The New York Times)

More from Art Market Monitor

  • Old Master OverviewOld Master Overview
  • Toledo Returns an Illicit Italian ArtefactToledo Returns an Illicit Italian Artefact
  • Russian Art Prize BlowbackRussian Art Prize Blowback
  • ArtHK Vernissage ReportArtHK Vernissage Report
  • Amar’e Stoudemire Trades Basketball for Sotheby’s Brand Ambassadorship and Role as Art Advisor to NBA StarsAmar’e Stoudemire Trades Basketball for Sotheby’s Brand Ambassadorship and Role as Art Advisor to NBA Stars
  • $86m in Russian Art Sells in London Week$86m in Russian Art Sells in London Week

Filed Under: General

About Marion Maneker

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

Top Posts

  • Rare Photo Album by Dutch Street Photographer Bought at Auction by Rijksmuseum
  • Keith Haring’s 1989 Retrospect Comes to Sotheby’s London Prints Sale
  • Norman Rockwell's Not Gay. But Is He a Great Artist?
  • Four of Picasso's Women Valued at $28m Come to Christie's from Rose-Walters Collection
  • David Hockney's $20m Pacific Coast Highway & Santa Monica
  • Tony Podesta's Secret Art Buying
  • Roy Lichtenstein’s Top Ten Auction Prices
  • Tracey Emin Neon Lights Up Sotheby's 'Contemporary Showcase' Pop-Up
  • Christie's Announces $70m Picasso Self Portrait
  • How to Chant Like an Auctioneer
  • 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