Yes Kai, you're quite correct, a variable approach is necessary, and I feel that this is as it should be.
The person in Central Jawa is operating within the cultural constraints of his society, just as the curator in London, New York or Paris is operating within the constraints of his society. For the collectors who frequent our discussions, the constraints are different yet again, as it seems to me that there are perhaps as many different philosophies as there are collectors.
This being so, the "--- do as much as is necessary, and as little as is possible.---" approach is clearly the only overarching philosophy that will satisfy all objectives, as each person sets his own objectives, in accordance with his own philosophy.
Rick, I'd be happy to assist in respect of items of tosan aji, I do have considerable experience in this field, and it seems that my private emails to collectors often deal with one aspect or another of the management of tosan aji. However, I would be reluctant to involve myself in other areas, because although I do have a little experience in some other fields, and my methods have been successful in most instances, they seem to often vary from the methods used by people who specialise in these other areas.
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