Britarch (and other places) was all abuzz yesterday over an auction on eBay of 1000 Roman coins purportedly from the Royal Society of British Exploration. While the auction has been withdrawn as of this a.m., it's worth noticing that the controversy about this one stemmed from a number of suspicious claims within the auction description, not least of which was that no one had ever hear of the RSBE. The coins themselves supposedly came from the Roman excavations at Wroxeter and were excavated by the "Wroxeter Archaeology team", which, if true, meant that this was an unreported hoard. Adding to the suspicion was the fact that the seller seems to change his/her eBay ID every two months or so ... in addition to the current theroyalsocietyofbritishexploration, this seller has used the monikers *metal*detectorist, canterburycoins, and 4598jason. Even with his current moniker, he has sold some items (indicated in green).
Now even though this auction has been withdrawn, I think it is worth drawing folks' attention to something else which disturbs me about a number of eBay auctions, especially when it comes to antiquities (although I have seen this from time-to-time in relation to items as mundane as Yugioh cards): the fact that buyers are kept 'private' and/or that an entire auction may be designated private. For example, there is currently an auction of a piece purporting to be a ca 100 A.D. Roman statue ... in this auction, the identities of the bidders is "private" (even though bidding began at 0.99 ... as of this writing it's $3350.00 and the reserve has not yet been met) and, even more disturbing, the provenance is listed as a "privet" auction back in 1978. [I won't comment on how the drapery doesn't look quite right] The same source in the past sold a similarly-dated piece (also purporting to depict a Roman general), with similarly-listed-as-private bidders. The provenance was listed as the annual Byblos antique show "and said to be excavated at Makner in the Beckaa Valley 1972". [again, I won't comment on how the piece doesn't look quite right]
And just to show that I'm not picking solely on this particular dealer, another auction (from a New York-based seller) is currently offering a large red-figure patera as a 'buy it now' item (i.e. it isn't really an auction) listed at $950.00. The description:
It almost sounds like it does have a provenance, doesn't it? But what does "uncleaned as found" mean/imply? The same source uses the same phrase in another auction ....
I could go on and on ... perhaps I should have a regular 'questionable auction of the week (day?)' feature here ...
Now even though this auction has been withdrawn, I think it is worth drawing folks' attention to something else which disturbs me about a number of eBay auctions, especially when it comes to antiquities (although I have seen this from time-to-time in relation to items as mundane as Yugioh cards): the fact that buyers are kept 'private' and/or that an entire auction may be designated private. For example, there is currently an auction of a piece purporting to be a ca 100 A.D. Roman statue ... in this auction, the identities of the bidders is "private" (even though bidding began at 0.99 ... as of this writing it's $3350.00 and the reserve has not yet been met) and, even more disturbing, the provenance is listed as a "privet" auction back in 1978. [I won't comment on how the drapery doesn't look quite right] The same source in the past sold a similarly-dated piece (also purporting to depict a Roman general), with similarly-listed-as-private bidders. The provenance was listed as the annual Byblos antique show "and said to be excavated at Makner in the Beckaa Valley 1972". [again, I won't comment on how the piece doesn't look quite right]
And just to show that I'm not picking solely on this particular dealer, another auction (from a New York-based seller) is currently offering a large red-figure patera as a 'buy it now' item (i.e. it isn't really an auction) listed at $950.00. The description:
South Italian, c. 350 BC. a Large Red-Figure lady of Fashion Patera. A Shallow plate with an offset rim and ring foot. in the interior a large female head facing left, wearing kekryphalos, earrings. a strand necklace and a radiate sephane. Size 9 1/2 inches diameter.(24 cm diameter). Condition.chiped on the edges. Uncleaned as found. Guaranteed Authenticity.
It almost sounds like it does have a provenance, doesn't it? But what does "uncleaned as found" mean/imply? The same source uses the same phrase in another auction ....
I could go on and on ... perhaps I should have a regular 'questionable auction of the week (day?)' feature here ...