While Thailand
is rich in antique art, the collector faces some serious limitations.
Pieces which are considered part of the national treasure can
be purchased by non-Thais but cannot be taken out of Thailand,
neither by foreigners nor by Thais. In the case of Buddha images,
such a limitation exists even for those new.
Buddha images,
Bodhisattva images or fragments thereof are prohibited from being
taken out of Thailand. Exceptions can be granted if the Buddha
image is to be used for worshipping by Buddhists, for cultural
exchange or for other reasons considered proper by the Thai authorities.
A license
must be obtained from the Department of Fine Arts before
any art objects or antique piece can be taken out of the country.
The rule applies for originals as well as reproductions.
That the rules also cover reproductions is a Thai particularity.
A similar rule outright prohibits making reproductions of especially
revered Buddha images such as the Emerald Buddha of Bangkok's
Wat Phra Kaeo. The rule of prohibiting in principle the exportation
of Buddha images as well as the copying of the country's principal
images is intended to prevent the country's religion becoming
commercial.
The art or
antique object for which a permit to export is requested must
be submitted to the National Museum in Bangkok (224-1370
and 224-1333) or the Chiang Mai National Museum (Tel 053
/ 22-1308) or the Songkhla National Museum (Tel 074 / 31-1728)
at least five days before the date of shipment or departure of
the applicant. An application form must be filled in, and it must
be accompanied by 2 front view post card size photographs
of the object or objects in question (no more than 5 pieces in
one photograph) and by a photocopy of the passport of the applicant.
Whether a
certificate is required depends on the judgement of the customs
officer. This author has once had a shipment to England held
up because it included a number of wood carvings purchased
cheaply in Northern Thailand. The customs officer requested
a certificate from the Fine Arts Department for these wood carvings
so they were separated from the rest of the shipment which passed
the export inspection. When this author inquired for the price
for the certificate it turned out to be more expensive than the
wood carvings themselves.
The best place
to get an idea on what art objects and antiques are available
in Bangkok is the River City Shopping Center next to the
Royal Orchid Sheraton, off New Road. It's probably not the best
place to buy art and antiques as prices are generally quite
high. There also are a number of antique shops along New Road
and in the lower Silom Road area, as well as on the second floor
of the shopping arcade in the Indra Hotel. Less exclusive
pieces can be found at Chatuchak Weekend Market. However,
fakes and copies abound, not only at Chatuchak Market.
There is no
clear definition how old a piece has to be to qualify as
antique. Pieces some 30 years old would generally not be considered
antiques by Westerners. If a trader gives as specification just
Rattanakosin Period - well, that dates between 1782 and
the present time.
At places
such as Ban Chiang in Northeastern Thailand were prehistoric
excavations have been made, quite a few people live of
selling to tourists pieces of pottery and even bones alleged to
be some 5000 to 7000 years old. Who believes such claims
has only himself to blame.
There are
numerous well done reproductions around. It's nothing wrong
with them as long as one pays reproduction prices. More honest,
however, it is to settle for nice pieces of handicraft which reflect
an old tradition but are not particularly old themselves.
Those who
think they could get real bargains in real antiques are usually
mistaken. Much as in the case of gemstones, the antique trade
is something for true professionals. Those not firm in
the field of Oriental art may buy pieces primarily for their beauty
but better not as investment or with the intention of making a
fast bug by selling in Europe or the US what they bought here.
Aside from
the Fine Arts Department, the Association for the Propagation
and Preservation of Objets d'Arts also prepares certifications
on art objects and antiques. While the Fine Arts Department basically
certifies that a piece of art can be taken out of the country,
the above mentioned association certifies the authenticity
of an object. According certificates can be requested when pieces
of art or antiques are purchased.
