The SGAA issue...

 

 

 https://www.nytimes.com/2021/08/25/arts/design/fake-antiquities-investigation.html

He Sold Antiquities for Decades, Many of Them Fake, Investigators Say

The owner of a Manhattan gallery was charged with grand larceny and other crimes by prosecutors who say he mass-produced objects that he passed off as ancient artifacts.

 By Colin Moynihan
Aug. 25, 2021

For years, looted antiquities have been a law enforcement priority, not only because the smuggling of ancient artifacts damages the cultural heritage of their countries of origin, but because illicit sales have sometimes financed the operation of drug gangs or terror organizations.

But prosecutors say Mehrdad Sadigh, a New York antiquities dealer whose Sadigh Gallery has operated for decades in the shadow of the Empire State Building, decided not to go to the trouble of acquiring ancient items.

He made bogus copies instead, they say, creating thousands of phony antiquities in a warren of offices just off his display area and then marketing them to unsophisticated and overeager collectors.

“For many years, this fake antiquities mill based in midtown Manhattan promised customers rare treasures from the ancient world and instead sold them pieces manufactured on-site in cookie-cutter fashion,” the Manhattan district attorney, Cyrus Vance Jr., said in a statement after Mr. Sadigh was arrested earlier this month.

Mr. Sadigh has pleaded not guilty to charges of scheming to defraud, grand larceny, criminal possession of a forged instrument, forgery and criminal simulation.

https://www.architecturaldigest.com/story/the-dealer-behind-one-of-the-biggest-antiquities-forging-operations-in-the-us-pleads-guilty

October 21, 2021

For nearly 40 years, Mehrdad Sadigh sold prized artifacts from ancient civilizations spanning from Mesopotamia to the Byzantine Empire and beyond. Or so his unsuspecting clients thought. Now, Sadigh has pled guilty to seven felony counts—including forgery and grand larceny—in New York’s State Supreme Court.

During court proceedings last week, prosecutors drew on evidence gathered by the Manhattan district attorney’s antiquities trafficking unit and Federal Homeland Security agents to paint a picture of what they estimated to be one of the biggest antiquities-forging operations in the country based on sales figures and longevity.

Now, that guy is likely out of the business for good. The Manhattan district attorney’s office filed a sentencing memorandum asking for five years’ probation for Sadigh, and a permanent ban from dealing antiquities “both genuine and fake.” As for those who’ve always had a sneaking suspicion that the sarcophagus purchased a few blocks from the Empire State Building might not be the real deal, it might be time for a closer look:

Do any of these Look Familiar?

(SGAA).

MC 2022.

Professor John E. Morby (CSUEB, 1939-2010) purchased a few items once and wondered if "are these legal?" after I gave him something from SGAA for his retirement gifts.  5% of anything SGAA sold are possibly authentic.  The same odds are in any Casino "wins" radius.  The other "95%" are FAKES, artificially created and sold, mostly tourist trash from Egypt or other nations.  I was only interested for historical research.  Faience is green-blue not brown (possibly from baked Nile clay).  Be aware of "low end artifacts."  

MC 2022.

The Flea Market Archaeologist

The Flea Market Archaeologist - Book
by Michael J. Costa (still alive).

Summary: Archaeology: the lure of treasure-hunters-turned-scientists, the discovery of ancient artifacts and unknown civilizations. Now add Flea Markets to the mixture and you have Cultural Anthropology with antiquities galore. You never know what you will find there. Usually anything of value to history is not on the minds of overly-burdened vendors. Most vendors I had the chance to know want to sell you their prized junk, usually at cheap to modest prices. I collect for educational reasons, not for entertaining value. Each piece is a study-aid, from varied cultures of historical significance. Then came the addiction. Cataloged artifacts were largely over-priced according to the Flea Market vendors' opinion. Over priced or over- valued is hard to say. I use artifact catalogs mostly to examine what artifacts look like, what time period produced them, their size and shape, etc. This replaces a dig site or artifact books, though my personal "library" contains reference materials from the Near East to Western cultures. I have Stamp Collector books, Coin books (both American and Ancient), books on Marketed toys (the kind used to market films), and history books. For anyone interested in this concept, you will need a few suggestions. First, don't seem too interested in the item - that is a red flag to the vendor, which may increase the price of the artifact. Second, look around the object: see if there are any other items hidden beneath it or beside it. Once there was a statue I wanted, and it hid a pile of coins I hadn't noticed before, one of which was a 4 inch Chinese Cash coin. Third, bring a backpack or large duffle for multiple or larger items. I usually carry a backpack, though I prefer to find small objects there. Fourth, invest in plastic sleeves and 3-ring binders purchased at a local Office store; this is to preserve either paper items like postage stamps or currency, and for research materials with photos of the artifacts. Fifth, examine the items for any damage or marks which may indicate age or genuineness (fake artifacts can be identified by structural design or cross section). Researching items before going to a Flea Market is recommended so as to know what characteristics to look for in the vast wasteland of artifacts, if you plan on targeting one particular culture. Bring enough cash [especially one-dollar bills] as most vendors there rarely accept credit cards unless it is sports related or from an actual business like jewelry, College groups, or a marketplace. I have seen small businesses use Flea Markets to attract customers.

© Copyright 2012 Michael J. Costa, All rights reserved.

Artifacts

Artifacts in my collection vary.  Some are from Artifact catalogs of the 1990s CE or from independent auction houses operating via catalogs or online.  Others are from Estate Sales and Flea Markets, or Museum gift shops.  Some others were inherited.  Occasionally I found items that became parts of the collection (for a future Museum). The collection is for research purposes and to fulfill the pattern in collecting.  When collecting do you want a "complete picture" or just a "short version" of where everything originated?  Price never equals value.  

In Egypt today people are against collecting except for Museums.  The locals are told not to dig up their backyards for ancient heritage that they try to sell for profit (the country is mostly poor anyway) or to Tourists.  This practice is discouraged.  And illegal.  Current Laws are like "life imprisonment for selling or owning Ancient items," or for "climbing the Pyramids" (which could be damaged by the weight of the person).  Archaeologists of the future will be "excavating the Internet" looking for information. 

All items in  my collection were not "smuggled" anyplace as I do not travel outside of the USA except on rare Cruises.  The origins of the items came from the sellers.  Some can be Fake or Younger than stated.  Most are trustworthy (except Sadigh Gallery - why are they still in business?).  For example a Roman Coin from Octavian cost about $385; the same coin in the same seller cost "$1025."  If I buy it on "sale" or "special offer," of course this depends on the Condition of the Coin itself.  Fine, Very Fine, Extremely Fine, Mint, Uncirculated, and other ratings are standard.  

American Silver coins that do not have Mint Marks are Bullion (metal content). These cost less than others with Mint Marks (Proofs, or Commemorative).  

I do not Buy Anything on E-Bay especially after revolutions like the Arab Spring of 2011, or the Caliphate of Iraq and Syria in 2014.  Artifacts were smuggled out of those regions and sold online to unsuspecting patrons.  

- Mike Costa, Museum CEO and Founder, April 14, 2020.

My Museum

My Museum currently is only a display case with artifacts and antiques collected legally in Hawaii and California while on vacations, or inherited.  It is not a building, as my neighbors believe.  

MC 2016.

new Jade items

                                             Jade Pieces - Horse (Left) & Fantasy Animal (Right)
                         From: Flea Market, Originally from a Collection in San Francisco, CA.

Spring 2014.

M7 2014.

New items

              Bronze Chinese Vase with inscription, with "flower top." 
             (From Flea Market, Oct. 19, 2013). Antique, Ancient Chinese Cultural item.

MC 2013.

Copyright 2013 MJC. All rights reserved.

From Flea Markets

..
    Flea Market Archaeology:

     This is a memoirs of Napoleon Bonaparte in hardcover.  From 1892.

..

..

A common selection of antique wares at a local Flea Market.

 A 4-Inch Diameter Chinese "Cash" coin.  Worth more than smaller versions.  ($20 at Flea Market).
I saw some selling for $400 each on auction once.   Bronze with square hole. 

MC 2013.