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Hi, would any readers on this forum please take 5 mins to read this article

http://www.chineseantiques.co.uk/is-there-a-multi-million-pound-chinese-antique-fraud-being-perpetrated-by-uk-auction-houses/

Please post your comments at the bottom of the article page, good or bad i dont mind i am just looking for your thoughts on this matter.

Many thanks webmaster

Link :Is There A Multi Million Pound Chinese Antique Fraud Being Perpetrated By UK Auction Houses?

I don't know why anyone would be surprised to read the contents of the article. The best policy, when entering an auction house, is not to buy a catalogue and never, never look at the auctioneers estimates. Then, buy what you like, for as much as you think it may be worth, or as much as you can afford. If you don't understand what you are buying, don't waste your money. A much more important question regarding these companies, in my opinion is: Is there any other area of business in which an agent (in this case an auction house) would be allowed to represent both the buyer and the seller, and charge them both a commission? No. The sooner this disgraceful practice is ended the better. It must be clear whom an auctioneer is representing, before I will ever trust any of them.

Look on ebay every day.There you will see hundreds of Chinese export armorial fakes sold by Chinese dealers who also evade the ethics of true description by their "skirting" of the question of age. How much of this stuff is sold back to China as period work is anyones guess.

This is not a new thing and is one of the major features of this industry...
It is why a reputable dealer is worth their weight in gold, if they offer a return policy they are taking all risks on themselves.
As a collector/buyer of jade (One of the areas of highest risk in this field)I can empathise, I have seen objects at auction online that look to be one thing, then when viewed in the flesh appear to be another...The only countermeasure regarding auctions is to know your field and handle the piece, and if this is not possible get multiple images in different light....The truth is always "Caveat empator" "BUYER BEWARE!!!"

I would call this the 21st Century 'Chinese Gold Rush', it's global. In the last few years too many obscure and vintage decorative items have been put up for sale with fraudulent descriptions as 'Chinese Antiques'.
The winners are the auction houses, antique stores and internet sellers/speculators, the middle men who want a piece of this very lucrative and hot Chinese artifact market.
I agree with previous replies: know your stuff, stay with reputable businesses that will allow refunds, and do get some advice if the investment is hefty, such as this site's forum.

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