Ever had a hard time finding a perfect gift for that archaeologist--professional, teacher, student, or simply a fan? How about an artifact reproduction? Most academically-trained archaeologists will tell you that it is unethical to traffic in antiquities. Each authentic artifact sold on EBay, in antique shops, at Sotheby's, at swap meets, was almost certainly looted from an archaeological site. And of course, many artifacts sold in these places are fakes, and not very good ones at that. But a good quality reproduction from a reputable firm lets you ethically own a piece of the past.
The Ethics of Buying Antique Reproductions
Some archaeologists will probably write me to point out that making, selling or buying reproductions in effect supports looting as well; that the mere presence of such objects in the market encourages people to attempt to obtain "real" artifacts. But if the point of archaeology is to learn from the past, it is important that we do encourage people's interest in the past. A well-made reproduction that supports a local economy is something to be treasured. Here's some tips for finding them.
How Authentic are the Replicas Likely to Be?
Most of us wouldn't know an authentic reproduction if it bit us on the nose. I recommend that you find a source that is likely to know what they're doing: small museum shops with gift selections based on their collections, shops associated with archaeological sites. If you are using a commercial firm, does their website list an expert? What kind of professional qualifications does he or she have?
Who Made the Reproductions?
Many of the reproductions made for larger museums (and some of the small ones, too) are done by large firms, using mass production techniques. There's nothing wrong or illegal or inethical with that case, and in fact, I have a couple of African pots in my house that were created for the Smithsonian Institution in just such a way. But, if with your purchase you can support a local artist or artisan--how much more economic sense can that get?
Who Gets the Profits?
We live in difficult times. Money is harder to come by for many of us, and if you're one of those with the wherewithal to buy gifts, spend the money where it will be used for something you approve of. Most of the gift shops that are associated with museums or archaeological sites are there for the express purpose of supporting the museum or archaeological excavations. Another good sign is if the commercial firm is supporting local artisans.
A Few Sources
The Ethics of Buying Antique Reproductions
Some archaeologists will probably write me to point out that making, selling or buying reproductions in effect supports looting as well; that the mere presence of such objects in the market encourages people to attempt to obtain "real" artifacts. But if the point of archaeology is to learn from the past, it is important that we do encourage people's interest in the past. A well-made reproduction that supports a local economy is something to be treasured. Here's some tips for finding them.
How Authentic are the Replicas Likely to Be?
Most of us wouldn't know an authentic reproduction if it bit us on the nose. I recommend that you find a source that is likely to know what they're doing: small museum shops with gift selections based on their collections, shops associated with archaeological sites. If you are using a commercial firm, does their website list an expert? What kind of professional qualifications does he or she have?
Who Made the Reproductions?
Many of the reproductions made for larger museums (and some of the small ones, too) are done by large firms, using mass production techniques. There's nothing wrong or illegal or inethical with that case, and in fact, I have a couple of African pots in my house that were created for the Smithsonian Institution in just such a way. But, if with your purchase you can support a local artist or artisan--how much more economic sense can that get?
Who Gets the Profits?
We live in difficult times. Money is harder to come by for many of us, and if you're one of those with the wherewithal to buy gifts, spend the money where it will be used for something you approve of. Most of the gift shops that are associated with museums or archaeological sites are there for the express purpose of supporting the museum or archaeological excavations. Another good sign is if the commercial firm is supporting local artisans.
A Few Sources
- Before You Buy Artifact Reproductions, tips on what to look for (basically the information in this blog)
- Best Small Museum Shops, a collection of small reputable museums that carry artifact replicas and sell them online
- Best Large Museum Shops, a handful of the largest museums that carry artifact replicas and sell them online
- Best Archaeological Site Museum Shops, a handful of shops at archaeological sites that carry replicas
- Artifact Reproductions, a list of specialty shops on the Internet
Comments
I’m astonished that while you included The British Museum in your list, you did not include New York’s Metropolitan Museum of Art. Its Reproduction Studio is first-rate. And other museums (e.g., The Brooklyn Museum and the University of Pennsylvania Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology) have used its cutting-edge services to provide reproductions of ancient art(-ifacts) for their customers.
Thanks for the tip, Stan! I have UPenn listed on the “small Museum shops” although I don’t know that it belongs there, maybe it should be with the bigs, but definitely I’ll add MOMA and put Brooklyn with the ‘small museums.
Anybody else have additional selections, please comment!
Kris
You’re welcome for the tip. Kris, MOMA is the Museum of Modern Art, an institution that certainly has nothing in terms of accurate reproductions that an archaeologist would be interested in.
Yeah, I realized after I went looking that I should have said the Met. I found a suitable listing for Brooklyn (which I put into ‘small’ museums) and for the Met (into the ‘large’). I don’t really have quantitative criteria for the museums, except I can only have ten in each category, and am dividing them on the basis of my nodding acquaintance.