Latest news with #CulturalHeritageAgencyoftheNetherlands
New York Times
03-03-2025
- Business
- New York Times
Before Buying an Artwork, Make Sure It Wasn't Stolen. Here's How.
TEFAF Maastricht, the European Fine Art Foundation's spring fair, is known for the high quality of artworks its dealers display each year, and for its extensive vetting procedure, which ensures that the treasures on offer have been verified as authentic. That process always includes a check on the work's provenance — the artwork's history of previous ownership. Even so, said Will Korner, TEFAF's head of fairs, there are always things that fall through the cracks. 'Objects are removed every year, at basically every fair, regarding issues of provenance,' he said. Any collector who is prepared to spend a considerable sum on a painting, sculpture or artifact should make sure that they do their own independent research, he added. 'They can feel confident that a standard has been applied that is leading in the market, but I would always encourage every single buyer to conduct their own checks,' he said in a phone interview. 'That's something that any art lawyer or art consultant would tell them to do.' Tainted beauties During World War II, Adolf Hitler and his Nazi art agents looted untold millions of artworks and cultural objects. Many artworks still have not found their way back to their rightful owners, or their beauty has been tainted by a history of theft. Collectors of the type of works that the Nazis favored, particularly old masters and Impressionist paintings, should be aware that what they are buying could have a wartime history. The same is true for artifacts and antiquities that may have been looted or stolen in other global conflicts, as well as ceremonial objects like masks and other heritage from formerly colonized nations. To avoid buying a work of art with a problematic history, and to guard against potential future claims, art provenance specialists say it is crucial to do some digging before you buy. Although new information comes to light every day, the best way to protect yourself is to ask the right questions, request as much data as possible, and independently verify that the information you get is accurate and up-to-date. The prospect of trying to discover the entire history of the 350-year old painting you want to buy might seem daunting. But Perry Schrier, a World War II cultural heritage adviser for the Cultural Heritage Agency of the Netherlands, said collectors do not need to hire a private researcher or an art detective for this work — in most cases. Provenance research is a fast-growing field within the art world, and today there are many independent experts available for hire. But some preliminary research that you can do on your own might quickly rule out any need for such a specialist, or help you learn what kind of specialist you need. 'There's a fair amount you can already do from your living room, from your laptop,' Schrier said. 'Later, there may be some things you have to go find in the archives, and that will be a second level, but the websites are very convenient nowadays and a great place to start.' Many resources are available to the public for free, or for a small fee. A basic provenance check may take a couple of hours or about half a day, but it should include a few steps that either put the item in the clear or raise red flags. If anything strikes you as potentially fishy, it is time to engage with additional experts, Schrier said. If you do engage a provenance researcher, look for one who specializes in the area of research particular to the work you are buying — for example, Dutch old masters, German Expressionists or Congolese masks — and can speak and read the languages relevant to any archival research. The important thing is to make sure you do due diligence before you buy, said Amelie Ebbinghaus, a director of the Art Loss Register, a London-based organization that helps the art trade track lost, looted or stolen objects. And make sure you request all the documentation the dealer or owner already has about the artwork, including information about the sources they used, before putting any money on the table. 'That may seem obvious, but quite often people ask for it right after they buy the work,' she said, 'and that doesn't give them the same protection.' 'Start with the object' The first step will be to have a good look at the piece of art, both front and back. 'Always start with the object,' advised Richard Aronowitz, global head of restitution for Christie's international auction house. 'The back of the painting, or the stretcher, might bear some indication of its ownership history,' he said. 'You're looking for labels, stamps, inventory numbers, inscriptions,' as well as any sign that such labels have been removed. Nazi owners sometimes marked their works with a swastika or an eagle on the back, and that would be an obvious red flag. (Conversely, such signs can be misleading, Aronowitz said, as forgers have also used them to make a fake work seem genuine by suggesting that it has been through many hands.) More likely, you will find labels of the gallery owners who handled the work in the past. 'You're looking for clues, evidence,' Aronowitz said, 'but deciphering evidence is difficult.' If you notice something unusual, you can often look it up on the internet, or consult an expert. Next, Ebbinghaus recommended plugging a photo of the work into a search engine like TinEye, or an app like Google Lens, which will scour the internet for billions of images to find any potential match. 'You'd be surprised by what you can find there from what has recently been sold on the market,' she said. Ask questions Once you have found out what you can, ask the seller, or current owner, for all the information that is currently known about the work's previous owners. Most sellers at a big fair like TEFAF, or at one of the top auction houses such as Sotheby's and Christie's, can be expected to provide you with a list of all previous owners. Sometimes known as a provenance chain, the list will indicate where the work has been from its creation to the present, and the dates when it changed hands. In reality, provenance histories are often incomplete. Ask questions if there is no ownership history between the years 1933 and 1945, if the work changed hands multiple times during that period or if the prewar owners' names are not listed. If you are buying at a smaller fair, from an auctioneer or at a flea market, you will likely have to do this work yourself. And even if a lengthy provenance history provides you assurance that the seller has done his or her homework, Ebbinghaus said that it is wise to check this material to verify it for yourself. Do your research You can do this using key databases that list missing or stolen art. The Art Loss Register is the largest, with more than 700,000 items that people have listed as missing or stolen. A search on a single artwork costs $100, and yearly subscriptions are available for those aiming to check more items. The German Lost Art Foundation runs two databases that are useful in provenance research: its Lost Art Database lists 126,000 objects that were seized from Jewish citizens between 1933 and 1945; its Proveana database displays the results of its research projects related to Nazi persecution and theft of Jewish property. The Commission for Looted Art in Europe in London runs the Central Registry of Information on Looted Cultural Property 1933-1945, a website and database, also known as Looted Art, which offers an object search of more than 25,000 pieces. The ERR Database has an inventory of more than 40,000 art objects taken by Einsatzstab Reichsleiter Rosenberg, the Nazi task force that looted art and archives, then took them to occupied Paris. And the German Historical Museum in Berlin, a museum devoted to German culture and history that describes provenance research as one of its core tasks, offers three databases focused on Nazi plunder. If your preliminary research uncovers anything suspicious, alert the seller, said Korner, the TEFAF fairs director. Always keep documentation of your research, because if an unforeseen claim arises in the future, you can demonstrate your due diligence. 'There isn't a register of all the art on the planet,' Ebbinghaus said. 'There are gaps, and as soon as an artwork has a gap in the provenance, there's a risk that it could be claimed at some point in time.' On the other hand, she added, the chance is not great: 'We check more than 400,000 items a year and less than 1 percent of those turn out to be problematic.'
Yahoo
13-02-2025
- General
- Yahoo
‘Devil's Money' Found in Ancient Netherlands Cult Burial
A metal detectorist discovered ancient gold coins in the Netherlands that turned out to be a cult ritual offering. Experts believe the money left at the location was 'devil's money,' an offering to pagan gods. The worship site likely had ties to summer and autumn equinoxes thanks to the discovery of seasonally aligned post holes. A metal detectorist recently came across a cache of more than 100 gold and silver coins buried underground in the Netherlands, prompting archaeologists to come further investigate the site. But knowing now what the coins were there for, perhaps the archaeologists should've left them alone. According to a new study published in Medieval Archaeology, the coins, which sat buried for 1,300 years in the Netherlands, were likely used in cult rituals, and further around the site, archaeologists uncovered the remains of a seventh-century open-air cult site. It's more than plausible that the cache of coins was what was known as 'devil's money,' coin offerings common at pagan cult sites. The metal detectorists made the find near Hezingen, a hamlet near the Netherland's border with Germany. The coins are from around 700 A.D.—including some rare finds from the mints of the Frankish Empire—and were found along with metal jewelry in 2020 and 2021. There were a number of clues that helped the archaeologists deduce that the site where the coins were found was once the stomping grounds for a cult. There were rows of posts, evidence of a large residence in a clearing near an ancient road junction on a prominent elevated landscape, remnants of animal sacrifices, and more. They also determined that the gold coins and jewelry were placed there in intervals over 100 years and interspersed with the animal sacrifices, making it clear that the site once served as a ritual sacrifice location for pagan gods. The archaeologists, led by Jan-Willem de Kort of the Cultural Heritage Agency of the Netherlands, located the signs of an old structure, likely from the sixth century, as well as 17 postholes for wooden posts that aligned with spring and autumn equinoxes, which tied the site to seasonal harvest rituals. 'The cult site was probably linked to a nearby high-status settlement with an enclosed cult house or ceremonial building,' the study authors wrote. 'The offerings may have been linked to fertility rites as the posts were aligned with the rising and setting of the sun during the spring and autumn equinoxes.' In all, the gold and silver coins were discovered in three areas. One site had a single gold coin, while another had 24 fragmented or complete gold coins, along with silver and gold jewelry. The third site featured gold coins and jewelry. 'I think that this cult site was mainly used by local elites to emphasize their own status, and of course, you do that preeminently with valuables,' de Kort said, according to 'The finds at the other cult sites are probably more the result of personal offerings and thus less precious.' The use of the site by elites and the timing of it all raises questions about the rise of Christianity in the area. The site's use curtailed in the 700s A.D., the study claims, earlier than the rise of Christianity in the region, leading the study authors to theorize that the area's leaders could have turned to Christianity earlier than others. As prominent missionary texts spelled out, to have pre-Christian groups convert to Christianity, they would need to stop worshiping pagan gods and cease the sacrifice of the so-called 'devil's money.' Since Hezingen was abandoned by the early eighth century when Christianity began to spread, the study authors suggest the leaders of the town—wealthy, as shown by the value of the gold and silver—were some of the first in the area to convert to Christianity. You Might Also Like Can Apple Cider Vinegar Lead to Weight Loss? Bobbi Brown Shares Her Top Face-Transforming Makeup Tips for Women Over 50
Yahoo
12-02-2025
- General
- Yahoo
The Devil's Money Found in Ancient Netherlands Cult Burial
A metal detectorist discovered ancient gold coins in the Netherlands that turned out to be a cult ritual offering. Experts believe the money left at the location was 'devil's money,' an offering to pagan gods. The worship site likely had ties to summer and autumn equinoxes thanks to the discovery of seasonally aligned post holes. A metal detectorist recently came across a cache of more than 100 gold and silver coins buried underground in the Netherlands, prompting archaeologists to come further investigate the site. But knowing now what the coins were there for, perhaps the archaeologists should've left them alone. According to a new study published in Medieval Archaeology, the coins, which sat buried for 1,300 years in the Netherlands, were likely used in cult rituals, and further around the site, archaeologists uncovered the remains of a seventh-century open-air cult site. It's more than plausible that the cache of coins was what was known as 'devil's money,' coin offerings common at pagan cult sites. The metal detectorists made the find near Hezingen, a hamlet near the Netherland's border with Germany. The coins are from around 700 A.D.—including some rare finds from the mints of the Frankish Empire—and were found along with metal jewelry in 2020 and 2021. There were a number of clues that helped the archaeologists deduce that the site where the coins were found was once the stomping grounds for a cult. There were rows of posts, evidence of a large residence in a clearing near an ancient road junction on a prominent elevated landscape, remnants of animal sacrifices, and more. They also determined that the gold coins and jewelry were placed there in intervals over 100 years and interspersed with the animal sacrifices, making it clear that the site once served as a ritual sacrifice location for pagan gods. The archaeologists, led by Jan-Willem de Kort of the Cultural Heritage Agency of the Netherlands, located the signs of an old structure, likely from the sixth century, as well as 17 postholes for wooden posts that aligned with spring and autumn equinoxes, which tied the site to seasonal harvest rituals. 'The cult site was probably linked to a nearby high-status settlement with an enclosed cult house or ceremonial building,' the study authors wrote. 'The offerings may have been linked to fertility rites as the posts were aligned with the rising and setting of the sun during the spring and autumn equinoxes.' In all, the gold and silver coins were discovered in three areas. One site had a single gold coin, while another had 24 fragmented or complete gold coins, along with silver and gold jewelry. The third site featured gold coins and jewelry. 'I think that this cult site was mainly used by local elites to emphasize their own status, and of course, you do that preeminently with valuables,' de Kort said, according to 'The finds at the other cult sites are probably more the result of personal offerings and thus less precious.' The use of the site by elites and the timing of it all raises questions about the rise of Christianity in the area. The site's use curtailed in the 700s A.D., the study claims, earlier than the rise of Christianity in the region, leading the study authors to theorize that the area's leaders could have turned to Christianity earlier than others. As prominent missionary texts spelled out, to have pre-Christian groups convert to Christianity, they would need to stop worshiping pagan gods and cease the sacrifice of the so-called 'devil's money.' Since Hezingen was abandoned by the early eighth century when Christianity began to spread, the study authors suggest the leaders of the town—wealthy, as shown by the value of the gold and silver—were some of the first in the area to convert to Christianity. You Might Also Like The Do's and Don'ts of Using Painter's Tape The Best Portable BBQ Grills for Cooking Anywhere Can a Smart Watch Prolong Your Life?
Yahoo
08-02-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
Archaeolgists Find Treasure at Ancient Pagan Cult Site
Archaeologists recently stumbled across a medieval pagan cult site in the Netherlands where they found a bounty of treasure. The findings were published in the journal Medieval to the article, gold and silver coins located with metal detectors in the town of Hezingen 'prompted archaeological excavations that have brought to light the remains of a 7th-century open-air cult site possibly connected with immigrants.' Hezingen was erected within a massive circular structure with wooden posts surrounding a peculiarly designed building which experts hypothesize to be the home of an elite leader, known as a Herrenhof. At the site, researchers found gold coins and jewelry which they believe were 'deposited there at regular intervals over a period of about 100 years.' A phosphate analysis revealed that animals were very likely sacrificed on the land before the area was abandoned around 700 A.D., which was 'at least half a century earlier than the formal Christianization of the area."Because paganism was not a monolithic religion, meaning there was not one specific god or deity worshipped by believers, and practices varied by location and over time, this recent discovery presents a remarkably rare insight into the regional cultist rituals which predated the birth of Christianity in northern Europe. The presence of the gold and silver coins would indicate that the site was used by cultural elites, as lower-status citizens would not have access to such treasure. But despite the cultish and ritualistic nature of the area, scientists say there is nothing to indicate which specific gods were worshipped at Henzigen or that any supernatural forces were summoned. "I think that this cult site was mainly used by local elites to emphasize their own status, and of course, you do that pre-eminently with valuables,' lead author Jan-Willem de Kort, an archaeologist from the Cultural Heritage Agency of the Netherlands, told 'The finds at the other cult sites are probably more the result of personal offerings and thus less precious."Kort continued: "The research was also born out of necessity, as the site was threatened by nature [sic] development. This would involve removing the topsoil to encourage the original vegetation to come back." Experts believe that ritualistic ceremonies were conducted at Hezingen in an attempt to please the gods and ensure strong harvests for the forthcoming year. 'The gods that may have been worshipped in Hezingen can be learned from a Saxon baptismal promise, handed down in a 9th-century codex,' the authors explained. 'This vow mentions the gods UUôden (Wodan), Thunær (Donar), and Saxnōte (Saxnot), who the reader of the promise must renounce.'
Fox News
05-02-2025
- General
- Fox News
Metal detectorists discover hoard of priceless gold coins dating back to Biblical times
Two metal detectorists stumbled across a cache of coins dating back to Biblical times in a one-of-a-kind discovery, according to European officials. The Cultural Heritage Agency of the Netherlands announced the discovery, which consists of 404 silver and gold coins, in a Jan. 27 press release. The cache is a mixture of Roman and British coins, making the discovery particularly unusual. A pair of metal detectorists named Gert-Jan Messelaar and Reinier Koelink found the coins in Bunnik, which is located in the province of Utrecht, in autumn 2023. Though the coins have been in the possession of the Dutch government for months, they were not revealed to the public until now. The 42 British coins, which historians refer to as "staters," were minted between 5 B.C. and 43 A.D., and are made of gold, silver, and copper. The name of Cunobeline, a British king who ruled from 9 to 43 A.D., was found inscribed on the coins. A total of 288 of the coins were Roman and were minted between 200 B.C. to 47 A.D. The "youngest" Roman coins date back to Emperor Claudius, with archaeologists finding that some of the coins were never in circulation. "In total, 72 Roman gold coins (aurei, singular aureus) were found, dating from 19 B.C. to 47 A.D.," the press release, which was translated from Dutch, read. "Two of the gold coins were minted with the same stamp and were unused — they show no signs of wear. The owner apparently received them from a stack of freshly minted coins." Officials explained that, at the time the coins were minted, Roman troops had begun sailing across the North Sea to conquer the Britannic Isles. Experts believe the coins belonged to Roman soldiers who brought them back after a mission in Britain. "It is likely that the coins were brought back to Bunnik by returning Roman soldiers from Britannia after the first conquests: the Roman coins as pay and the British ones as war booty," the statement explained. In the press release, the RCE noted that the discovery "supports the crucial role of the Lower Germanic Limes in the Roman conquest of Britannia." The Limes refer to the border of the Roman Empire, differentiating Germania Inferior and Germania Magna. Not only is the archaeological discovery the largest of its kind made in Utretcht, it is the only Roman-British coin hoard discovery in mainland Europe — a similar cache was found in the United Kingdom. "These coins form a unique combination of both Roman and British coins, buried in the northern border region of the Roman Empire (the Lower Germanic limes), which at the time ran through the Netherlands," the statement said. "Such a Roman-British coin find has never before been made on the European mainland.
