Attending an auction preview in person tonight in Scottsdale, Arizona Larsen Art Auction, two paintings by an artist whose work I came to see were not on view. Polly Larsen, owner of the business, informed me they had been pulled due to an authentication issue. Hats off to this astute businesswoman/ art dealer who went to the trouble of doing the legwork in spite of the paintings’ original hefty auction estimates. Had they been judged legitimate, each wore an estimate in excess of $10,000.00!
Years ago a rather famous art dealer friend in New York told me typically dealers park their mistakes (meaning fakes) with smaller auction houses. They try one after another, until finding one not doing the research necessary to keep from offering bogus art. Hence, buyer beware and choose to purchase from auction houses inclined to go the extra mile to protect their art buyers.
SavvyCollector.com is named SavvyCollector as each artwork is thoroughly vetted on your behalf by someone who works to gather information on which you can rely.
Corinne Cain, ASA, Accredited Senior Appraiser designated in Fine Art as well as American Indian Arts