Small Finds, Big Values: Cylinder Seals and Coins from Iraq and Syria on the Online Market
01 Aug 2019-International Journal of Cultural Property (Cambridge University Press (CUP))-Vol. 26, Iss: 3, pp 239-263
TL;DR: In this article, the authors argue that the number of cylinder seals and coins sold on the Internet has increased steadily since 2011, reaching a peak in 2016-17, and that the trade in Iraqi and Syrian antiquities has shifted from big-ticket items sold in traditional brick-and-mortar shops to small items readily available on the internet for modest prices.
Abstract: Discussions about looted antiquities often focus on large, culturally and monetarily valuable items. Nevertheless, it is clear that mundane small finds, which sell for relatively small amounts, account for a large portion of the global market in antiquities. This article highlights two types of small artifacts—namely, cylinder seals and coins, presumed to come from Syria and Iraq and offered for sale by online vendors. We argue that the number of cylinder seals and coins sold on the Internet has increased steadily since 2011, reaching a peak in 2016–17. This shows that the trade in Iraqi and Syrian antiquities has shifted from big-ticket items sold in traditional brick-and-mortar shops to small items readily available on the Internet for modest prices. The continuing growth of the online market in antiquities is having a devastating effect on the archaeological sites in Iraq and Syria as increasing demand fuels further looting in the region.
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01 Jan 1931
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6 citations
TL;DR: The illicit trade in cultural objects endures, with harmful consequences to local communities, knowledge acquisition, and archaeologica as discussed by the authors, even 50 years after the adoption of the 1970 UNESCO Convention.
Abstract: Fifty years after the adoption of the 1970 UNESCO Convention, the illicit trade in cultural objects endures, with harmful consequences to local communities, knowledge acquisition, and archaeologica...
5 citations
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01 Aug 2006
19 citations
Book•
01 Jan 2008
TL;DR: A treasure trove of Bactrian gold was spirited away from the National Museum of Afghanistan by a small group of "keyholders" -museum guards, curators and antiquities lovers who risked their lives to save the country's cultural treasures.
Abstract: Almost 30 years ago, a precious trove of art was spirited away from the National Museum of Afghanistan by a small group of "keyholders" -museum guards, curators, and antiquities lovers who risked their lives to save the country's cultural treasures. Their actions spared these magnificent pieces from the threat of destruction, first by the invading Soviets in 1979 and more recently by the Taliban. Exquisitely crafted in gold and ivory, the artifacts illustrate Afghanistan's key place at the crossroads of Europe, the Middle East, and Asia, at the center of the ancient Silk Road-a rich heritage to be displayed at four major U.S. museums through 2009. Crowning this headline-making exhibition is a famous hoard of Bactrian gold, considered to be one of the greatest archaeological discoveries of the 20th century.
18 citations
Book•
01 Jan 2005
TL;DR: The Crosshairs of History: A Deeper Perspective of History as discussed by the authors is a collection of illustrators' works focusing on the history of war and war in the world, with a focus on women.
Abstract: List of Illustrations Preface Chapter One. Introduction The Crosshairs of History A Deeper Perspective Chapter Two. Hunting The Enemy City of Bones Victories Chapter Three. A Desperate Struggle Explosion Shock Waves Chapter Four. The Hydra Heads Of Bactria A Prophecy A Death Chapter Five. Love And War Little Star of Hope More Opposition Chapter Six. Dark Shadows Chaos Catastrophe Chapter Seven. The Legacy Lost and Found And Sometimes Lost Again Chapter Eight. Conclusion Plato Who? Lady Moon Appendix. Ancient Sources Notes Bibliography Index
18 citations
01 Jan 2014
TL;DR: Auction houses facilitate illegal trade by providing an environment that is conducive to the marketing of illicit material as discussed by the authors, and their involvement is sometimes thought to go beyond simple facilitation, and extend to more active support.
Abstract: From their prestigious premises in London and New York the large auction houses Sotheby’s and Christie’s and to a lesser extent Bonhams dominate the antiquities market. Straddling the wholesale-retail divide, selling to collectors and dealers alike, their auctions are highlights of the annual antiquities sales calendar. Not surprisingly, given their central place in the market, they frequently become embroiled in disputes over the possession of stolen and illegally-exported (illicit) antiquities. One reason for this seeming vulnerability to third-party fencing operations is their dismissive attitude towards published provenance, considered here to comprise the published ownership history of a piece. In auction catalogues provenance is often not supplied or offered only in barest anonymized outline – “property of a European gentleman” or “bought on the London market” have become cliche s. Even when more informative and reliable information is made available, it is usually limited to one or two public events in the otherwise private life of the object – the date and place of a previous sale, for example, or the object’s mention in a scholarly publication. Only on rare occasions is a full provenance detailing an unbroken chain of ownership provided. With nothing that might help to reveal their true nature, there is nothing to hinder the entry onto the market of stolen, illegally-traded or counterfeit antiquities. For this reason alone, auction houses facilitate illegal trade by providing an environment that is conducive to the marketing of illicit material. But their involvement is sometimes thought to go beyond simple facilitation, and extend to more active support. This paper describes cases of auction houses having been caught selling stolen or otherwise illegally-traded material, and examines what they reveal about the policies and practices of auction houses as regards the illicit trade in antiquities, and what evidence there is of the more intimate involvement of auction houses.
17 citations
01 Jan 1931
15 citations