tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3279887958085077691.post3675371336163518160..comments2024-02-22T10:35:12.485-08:00Comments on Cultural Property Observer: Terrorist Financing Cultural Property Observerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05924359202414555962noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3279887958085077691.post-35702026629671639232015-11-18T16:29:48.251-08:002015-11-18T16:29:48.251-08:00Kudos to Michael Danti for not jumping on the Band...Kudos to Michael Danti for not jumping on the Band Wagon and mindlessly blaming American private collectors for all the evils of the world. Most American dealers and collectors that I know, and that is more than a few, are perplexed by the insipid claims of even the major media that obviously have no basis in fact. The U.S. market has certainly not seen any measurable rise in artifacts from Syria. If anything, the opposite is true. Because of international sensitivity, the traditional market for objects from this region is shrinking and many dealers shy away from it. Typically, those things seen on the market today are items from old and well known collections. In the rare instances where looted material has been interdicted, it has been really minor material. Except for a few exponents of the prevailing archaeogical view, Customs and federal law enforcement agencies have generally acted reasonably and appropriately in their investigations, seizures and criminal prosecutions. I really don't see how the U.S. Collector can be villainized with any justification. That trend seems to me more of an ideological crusade than legitimate news.Wayne G. Sayleshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02443529723963083983noreply@blogger.com