Provenance, what is it worth?

Jim McDougall · 16th May 2012, 03:59 AM

Provocative topic, and quite understandably placed as altogether too often provenance presented is mostly circumstantial and ill substantiated. It seems this has come up on numerous occasions in museum displays which have relied primarily on descriptions and information provided by item donors where further research to confirm details has not been completed.
In the case of auctions obviously there is often a wide range of description and provenance, which in most cases seem accurate, yet there will always be exceptions. With private sales and independant matters clearly the rule is caveat emptor in capital letters.

In these times antiquities are a powerfully lucrative field and the means of deception ever more powerful as well. I dont believe 'stupidity' as a term I would apply in unfortunate acquisitions, but entirely agree that knowledge is of utmost importance for those venturing into these treacherous fields.
That is why we are here, and why I always implore all who read and contribute here to share openly thier expertise in thier chosen specialties, to help all of us keep from falling prey to the hawkers of misrepresented or fake items, of all forms.

Much like history itself, provenance must always be reviewed and reconsidered and research always continued for new evidence and clues. Personally in my opinion, with most cases provenance is simply a benchmark, and research always goes on.
For collectors and all involved with antique arms and armor, in my opinion the foremost weapon one will possess is knowledge, and one can never let thier guard down.

16th May 2012, 03:59 AM	#3
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 10,192	Provocative topic, and quite understandably placed as altogether too often provenance presented is mostly circumstantial and ill substantiated. It seems this has come up on numerous occasions in museum displays which have relied primarily on descriptions and information provided by item donors where further research to confirm details has not been completed. In the case of auctions obviously there is often a wide range of description and provenance, which in most cases seem accurate, yet there will always be exceptions. With private sales and independant matters clearly the rule is caveat emptor in capital letters. In these times antiquities are a powerfully lucrative field and the means of deception ever more powerful as well. I dont believe 'stupidity' as a term I would apply in unfortunate acquisitions, but entirely agree that knowledge is of utmost importance for those venturing into these treacherous fields. That is why we are here, and why I always implore all who read and contribute here to share openly thier expertise in thier chosen specialties, to help all of us keep from falling prey to the hawkers of misrepresented or fake items, of all forms. Much like history itself, provenance must always be reviewed and reconsidered and research always continued for new evidence and clues. Personally in my opinion, with most cases provenance is simply a benchmark, and research always goes on. For collectors and all involved with antique arms and armor, in my opinion the foremost weapon one will possess is knowledge, and one can never let thier guard down.