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Message:: [QUOTE="all_fakes, post: 571250, member: 55"]It is really easy to be mistaken when looking at items that one knows little about, or even to become firmly convinced that a fake is real.   It is well to remember that a collection of items, or a single item, may have come from an innocent person who also believed the item was real; but that every kind of item has been faked; and that the vast majority of fakes are contemporary - made a year, or 10 years ago, not 100.It is always good to keep an open mind, and to be willing to learn from those with more experience. My first attempt at buying a Northwest Coast Native mask many years ago was nearly a horrible mistake....I was just about to put down several thousand dollars, when I happened to mention the mask to a friend....who said: "You know these are being hand-carved by the thousands today?  This is an imported replica; the original is in the Denver Museum."  I took a deep breath, and resolved to learn first, buy later.  I realized that if I was unfamiliar with the businesses which produced fakes, and the shops that sold them, I needed to spend some time researching those areas before buying anything. It can be a journey of discovery; and Scott, I wish you well on your journey; I'm sure you'll find it enjoyable.[/QUOTE]