African Art Authenticity, Colonial Postcards, and the Problem of “Made for the Market” Objects
Recently I revisited a fascinating postcard from the Loango coast, dating from around 1910. At first sight, it appears to confirm exactly what many collectors hope to see: African masks and figures photographed “in the field,” offered in an open-air market during the colonial period. For many collectors, such early documentation immediately creates reassurance. The older the publication or photograph,… Read More »African Art Authenticity, Colonial Postcards, and the Problem of “Made for the Market” Objects
