Jim,
You pointed on the right problem of Africa. As you know, the blades are a pretext to try to understand people. I just opened the door of this vast subject which is not easy to approach.
First -We think art and free interpretation, they think usefull with respect of their tribe'straditions.
I don't think that the patterns on an african blade are a free artistic interpretation for pleasure. They are especially patterns of one or more tribes and we may find them somewhere (clothes, leathers or shields,...).
Second -The notion of OLD seems to be different for us and them. For us, a XIX° piece is not really old: our grand-father's father...
For them, it's of course the same but climate and insects as termites are merciless. So, a mask which is one century ago (1900) is exceptional. Usually, a piece of the 40's or 50's is considered as having age.
Third - Authenticity and age does not match for all the cases.
A gift to Mr. Stanley at the very end of XIX° is not considered as authentic because it had been done off the trends of the tribe. It's old but not authentic.
What's authentic is a piece done by the tribe to be usefull to the tribe.
It is not easy to change his mind on things. It is mandatory to understand this magic world.
See You, my friend.
Louis-Pierre
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