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antique african masks

David in his African art Shop photo frank bloemberg

The African Art Market: Why So Many Antiques Are Not What You Think

One of the most difficult things to explain to somebody who is beginning to collect African art is that the greatest danger is not necessarily buying an obvious fake. The more subtle problem is that there is a considerable amount of African-looking material on the market today which was never made as traditional African art in the first place, but… Read More »The African Art Market: Why So Many Antiques Are Not What You Think

Suku mask

Navigating the World of Authentic African Masks: Lessons From 30 Years in the Field

Photo: A fine Suku Mask fom David Norden’s collection. Over the past weeks, several collectors have told me how difficult it is to navigate the world of African masks online.Too many choices, too many claims of “authenticity,” and far too many pieces that were never used in ritual at all. I understand the frustration.When I began 30 years ago, I… Read More »Navigating the World of Authentic African Masks: Lessons From 30 Years in the Field