Testimony of a collector who bought a sculpture by Henry Munyaradzi which turned out to be a fake

Here is the testimony of a collector who bought a sculpture by Henry Munyaradzi which turned out to be a fake.

I live in Paris and I have been collecting Shona sculptures from Zimbabwe for about fifteen years.

I write this article, not to settle accounts, nor to denounce anyone, nor to obtain something, but to alert collectors and encourage them to be vigilant.

In November 2008, I bought a sculpture from an American gallery: ****** Gallery. The purchase was made by internet on photos.

It is a piece signed Henry Munyaradzi, a first generation artist, recognized and exhibited all over the world.

The title is "Protecting owl", carved in black serpentine, signed "Henry" under the base, 52 cm high, 25 cm wide, sold for $900 and comes with a certificate of authenticity.

I received my owl and I lived happily with it until September 2022 when I read several articles on the internet which are concerned about the proliferation on the market of fake sculptures from Zimbabwe resold by unscrupulous operators.

I then send an email, with photos and a copy of the certificate of authenticity, to four specialized galleries, asking the same question:

« Is this really a work of Henry Munyaradzi? »

I got two replies.

First reply:

The answer is unambiguous. It's a fake. ****** Gallery is unfavorably known to its colleague. I am not the first. Other customers have also been tricked. A disturbing note in this message: fakes are on the increase.

Second reply:

Same answer. I own a fake. My interlocutor asks me not to use his name, which I respect.

End of the story:

I send an email on November 6, 2022 to ****** Gallery asking for an explanation.

Today is December 23, 2022. I still have no answer.

Conclusion:

I got cheated stupidly, probably for lack of experience.

I now look at my owl with a different eye. I have the impression that he is taunting me with his insolent crests, his crooked shoulders and his beak as long as Pinocchio's nose.

How to avoid this?

I think collectors should be advised on how to buy.

For first-generation artists, ask dealers to provide all the documents to certify the origin and authenticity of the work (photo in books, exhibition catalog where the work could have been exhibited, auction catalog, photo of the artist with the work, old invoices...). Sometimes these elements are difficult to obtain for the artists of the first generation. In this case, there are clues that can alert you: for example an abnormally low price or defects in the work. Counterfeiters do not have the talent of those they imitate.

Ask questions to dealers. Don't be intimidated. If in doubt, do not buy. If no one buys suspicious works anymore, they will disappear from the market.

For current artists, they should be encouraged to take photos and videos of finished or in-progress works. It would be nice if they signed the certificates of authenticity themselves. Today's artists are those who will be concerned with fakes tomorrow.

Do not hesitate to seek advice from more experienced collectors.

You can also contact the artists directly through social networks or internet.

Counterfeiters and complicit dealers cause serious harm to artists and collectors. Either way, don't be alone. If you have doubts about a work or a reseller or if you have been scammed, let us know.

The cooperation of all will make it possible to clean up the market.

Daniel R