This is what you originally said...
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Originally Posted by BSMStar
Originally Posted by BSMStar
20 years ago, dealers were having a tough time selling true Datu quality Moro pieces for 45 to100 bucks… to see them today passing the $1000 mark and pushing towards $2000. That’s crazy. To see a “so-so” piece being pushed beyond that is pure insanity (someone was number 2 on this bid to drive it that high).
The point that I am trying to make… is that when people jump into “collecting” with little knowledge or care for the subject, are willing to throw big bucks at it for the simple reason of turning a profit… that kills it for collectors who have a passion and do it solely for the love of history and culture.
Simply... there is nothing left to study. It becomes locked up in some investor's closet.
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Perhaps you wish to suggest other layers of context to these statements but these statements by themself seemed to imply a certain generalization of the buyer, and this forum topic was about the Datu Sword in question on eBay, so whether by mistake or not, I have to assume that was the focus of these comments of yours.
Sure, I perceive that lately certain moro items seem to be sought with an indulgent bid toward their acquisition, but you can't determine through such a high bid the character of the buyer, their motives, their passion, or their understanding and care of the item as was implied by your original post (unless they don't pay - which was 'my' point).
I'm well aware of the events surrounding the Japanese and their swords. However, again what does that have to do with supporting your viewpoint of moro weaponry being purchased at unfairly high prices by your estimate? Again, the motives of such re-purchases by the Japanese, especially with the history you added to share with everyone again refutes your original generalization about the buyer and the resulting market driven forces towards the particular area of collecting.
And that soldier you are referring to who took one of these swords without any real appreciation has no relationship to the buyers on eBay which again are the ones we are debating as to motive or character. The soldier with regards to taking swords are as you imply in the context of, "taken as souvenirs". What would the context of that have to do with a >$2000 bid on Moro Weaponary?
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Originally Posted by BSMStar
You assume a lot and here is my point… if you do not appreciate the value of money, then how are you going to appreciate the value of what you have purchased… when obviously you do not understand what you have purchased (other than a sharp stabby thingy with an ivory handle)? If that is all the pleasure one gets… maybe they are in the wrong field.
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The value one places towards their money, might have nothing to do with with a parallel value one might place on an ethnographic weapon. Everything has an fluctuating appraised value to it, but money in itself is just a means to an end. Maybe the person paying the high price appreciates the item more than their money. Maybe their money is more a disposable issue to them than missing out on the ownership of a particular item. That can be a subjective issue and outside the realm of what constitutes good business sense but really has nothing to do with your original implied generalization of the buyer in question. That being...
"little knowledge or care for the subject, are willing to throw big bucks at it for the simple reason of turning a profit… that kills it for collectors who have a passion and do it solely for the love of history and culture.
Simply... there is nothing left to study. It becomes locked up in some investor's closet."
My comment about a teenager owning a Datu item in their closet was simply a felicitous suggestion about how lower values for such artifacts do not ensure that those who collect for "the love of the history and culture" will be the ones given such lower prices to own such items.
I'm not out to turn this into a game of semantics, but I still felt the need to support the integrity of the position I was making. You obviously come across as a noble collector of items and having good intentions towards them so I don't in any way fault your passion at trying to take me to task on this message board with such viewpoints. I happy to know such artifacts are in your hands, and I can only hope that the majority of such things we all appear to appreciate here are likewise in similar collector's possession.