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.
