FAKING THE ANCIENT ANDES [Paperback]

Karen O Bruhns (Author), Nancy L Kelker (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 1, 2009 | ISBN-10: 1598743953 | ISBN-13: 978-1598743951

Nasca pots, Quimbaya figurines, Moche porn figures, stone shamans. Fakes and forgeries run rampant in the Andean art collections of international museums and private individuals. Authors Karen Bruhns and Nancy Kelker examine the phenomenon in this eye-opening volume. They discuss the most commonly forged classes and styles of artifacts, many of which were being duplicated as early as the 19th century. More important, they describe the system whereby these objects get made, purchased, authenticated, and placed in major museums as well as the complicity of forgers, dealers, curators, and collectors in this system. Unique to this volume are biographies of several of the forgers, who describe their craft and how they are able to effectively fool connoisseurs and specialists. This is an important accessible introduction to pre-Columbian art fraud for archaeologists, art historians, and museum professionals alike. A parallel volume by the same authors discusses fakes in Mesoamerican archaeology.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"This is a lively and engaging book that takes on a theme that many people wish to ignore. The reality is that forgeries of antiquities are found throughout the legal and illicit marketplace, in private collections, and in museum collections. Fakes and are even illustrated in our textbooks. The authors have brought together an impressive array of first hand evidence showing how the ever-growing number of forgeries has not only distorted the unethical antiquities market, but is also distorting our view of history. This is an important book that should be read by anyone concerned with our cultural heritage."

 

-Charles Stanish, Director, Cotsen Institute of Archaeology, UCLA

"Faking the Ancient Andes…is a call for anyone associated with ancient art to refrain from actively encouraging the wholesale destruction of the world's artistic heritage. What does it matter to the average museum visitor that much of what is on display is less than genuine? Everyone who looks the other way is contributing to the pollution of scholarship and distortions of history and science… It is a pity that so many of these forgeries are taken seriously. Bruhns and Kelker do a good job of explaining why. There is tremendous pressure and incentive throughout the museum industry to pass off these fakes as genuine. Faking the Ancient Andes will appeal to readers…because the authors come down firmly on the side of science."

-Carol Hayman, Skeptical Inquirer

(Reviewed with Faking Ancient Mesoamerica)

"Both books make an interesting case for how the influx of forged and unprovenanced artifacts into the public and academic world can affect one's understanding of the past. The tone of the books can at times be distracting, but the issues addressed and their complexities are explored effectively. Summing Up: Recommended."

-J. J. Borowicz, CHOICE

 

From the Inside Flap

This is an important accessible introduction to pre-Columbian art fraud of South America for archaeologists, art historians, and museum professionals alike.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 224 pages
• Publisher: Left Coast Press (November 1, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1598743953
• ISBN-13: 978-1598743951
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 2.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #129,599 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #9 in Books > Arts & Photography > Schools, Periods & Styles > Prehistoric & Primitive

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Interesting narrative, but......, December 9, 2011

By 

J. W. Blackman "J W Blackman" (NZ) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: FAKING THE ANCIENT ANDES (Paperback)

I am sure the intent of this book was sincere but for me it lacks real objectivity. It tells me little about what makes a fake a real fake and what to look for - point by point - true antique against recent reproduction.
I applaud those who choose to use traditional methods to produce traditional products in order to keep their traditions alive for future generations. Frankly that collectors cant tell the difference between the old and the new and choose to pay a fortune for what effectively is a souvenir isn't my concern. .
If you, like me,are looking for a more definitive reference source of what makes a fake, then this book isn't for you.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars fakes, October 1, 2011

By 

Sebastian Carranza-Lira - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: FAKING THE ANCIENT ANDES (Paperback)

I read with interest this book. But I think that author arrives to no compleate believable conclusions, that almost all museum artifacts are fakes. The conclusions after reading this book is that one must be more careful when apreciating antiques.