19thc Indo-Persian or 20thc tourist?

[harrywagner]

I am uncertain if I am allowed to say this or not, but will try. The moderators can remove it if is not allowed.

I purchased this item and the "beater sword" in Michigan. Both were sold as 19thc.

[kahnjar1]

Originally Posted by harrywagner

I am uncertain if I am allowed to say this or not, but will try. The moderators can remove it if is not allowed.

I purchased this item and the "beater sword" in Michigan. Both were sold as 19thc.

Harry, just a comment which you may or may not take heed of. If you look at many of the listings on a well known website, you will see that there are a lot of items described as older than they actually appear, or in fact are, to try and extract the most from any buyer. IMHO try and stick to reputable/well known sellers either on the internet or elsewhere, and hopefully you will not get stung so often. However it is the buyer who in the end must accept the blame if things are not as they are described. The ultimate of course is to have a "return" agreement so that you can return the item if it is not as you thought.
Collecting is something which establishes knowledge over time, but as has been said before it can be fatal to rush into a purchase without doing your homework first.
Stu

[Bob A]

If I might be permitted to add to Kahnjar1's reply, I've found it very useful, as a relative amateur in the field, to spend a lot of time looking at commercial sites which are well known for the quality of their items, and the accuracy of their descriptions. Of course the images on this site are also of great value, though I'm late in arriving here.

While it is impossible to see many of these objects in hand, I've been able to refine my perceptions by front-loading my visual memory with images of the Real Thing. It's surprising in a way to see how that has paid off when perusing sites like the giant internet auction bazaar: fakes and such seem to spring out as I view them.

[Battara]

I would also add to these 2 great ideas these:

BOOKS: many have been mentioned on this forum and are used as reference by experts, and us.

MUSEUMS: whether in person or on the web, check these out as well for good quality examples.


Final note on the inscriptions: They look like there are acid etched - a sign of lower quality and easy to do for tourists.

[kahnjar1]

Originally Posted by Bob A

If I might be permitted to add to Kahnjar1's reply, I've found it very useful, as a relative amateur in the field, to spend a lot of time looking at commercial sites which are well known for the quality of their items, and the accuracy of their descriptions. Of course the images on this site are also of great value, though I'm late in arriving here.

While it is impossible to see many of these objects in hand, I've been able to refine my perceptions by front-loading my visual memory with images of the Real Thing. It's surprising in a way to see how that has paid off when perusing sites like the giant internet auction bazaar: fakes and such seem to spring out as I view them.

Hi Bob, and thanks for the response. I note your comment that you consider yourself an amateur....please don't short change yourself. We are all amateurs really as we are always learning. My point was rather directed at those who don't seem to want to learn despite having the tools to learn at their fingertips, whether it be from fellow collectors, books and the wide range of information on the internet.
The result of course is usually disaster in some form or other.
Stu

[mariusgmioc]

Originally Posted by kahnjar1

Harry, just a comment which you may or may not take heed of. If you look at many of the listings on a well known website, you will see that there are a lot of items described as older than they actually appear, or in fact are, to try and extract the most from any buyer. IMHO try and stick to reputable/well known sellers either on the internet or elsewhere, and hopefully you will not get stung so often. However it is the buyer who in the end must accept the blame if things are not as they are described. The ultimate of course is to have a "return" agreement so that you can return the item if it is not as you thought.
Collecting is something which establishes knowledge over time, but as has been said before it can be fatal to rush into a purchase without doing your homework first.
Stu

Well said, tested and proofed on own skin... or better said on own wallet!

Luckily you are wrong on one it is not "fatal" to rush into a purchase without doing your homework, but only costly.

PS: I try to stick to reputable dealers and auction houses but I very often find also them to be wrong when describing and item.