Click here for my current eBay listing! |
| Philosophy of Purpose |
First of all I am not a dealer. I am a collector who has taken a look at my past acquisitions and feel
it is time to realign. I could easily hang on to ninety percent of what I am showing on this site but
am having a very hard time choosing what to let go of so I decided to list most of the collection
and let others take what they would like and I will be happy with what is left and then have room to
head in new directions. Selling African art is a difficult endeavor to say the least. There are many
factors in determining exactly how to classify each piece and placing a value accordingly. The art
offered here is varied due to my ever changing aesthetic and growing connoisseurship. Therefor
in the wake of my rapid, obsessive collecting we find a full range of art as for as quality and
beauty is concerned. Some of the pieces are authentic, some are reproductions and some are
frankly impossible to tell what's what, and this is the way I have designed the site: Authentic (you
can relax in knowing it is the real thing-price will be reflective of that); Great Art (all indications
are that the piece is right but a little something makes me question it - price will be based on
decorative value but piece could be right - I just sleep better knowing I'm not pulling one over on
you); Decorative (The piece is sure to be a reproduction - price will be affordable). Tagging the
art is sometimes difficult as I have some pieces which I have shown to experts and get different
opinions from each, so even they are in disagreement on these things at times but I will share with
you when we talk on a piece what has been said about it and you can make your own
determination. I plan to eventually have only great authentic art on my site but for now I need a
place to showcase the early pieces that need new homes. I want to keep the deals as honest as
possible and feel this breakdown to be the best approach. I am also listing items on consignment
from other collectors who are selling parts of their collections so not all pieces on this site are
from my personal collection, though most are. Prices will not be included as I am constantly
changing my mind about the importance of a piece to me. One day I might give it away and the
next it might take the mortgage on your house to get it. The site is mainly to show all that is
available and we can discuss the rest of it via email at terry@3riversart.com
More art will be added as I continue to find and photograph everything so you may want to check
back periodically although I must say it is a slow process.
To eBay or not to eBay is a big contention with a lot of collectors and dealers. The assumption is
that everything listed on eBay is a copy or fake. Well, I agree that for the most part that is true,
but most of the sellers have the pieces priced low as a copy or fake and no one is really getting
hurt. If you buy something hoping it is the real deal at a fake price then you are fooling yourself. If
you do get the opportunity to buy a great authentic piece for a fake price then all is swell, except
the poor soul who you just stole the piece from and I doubt there are too many of us who contact
the seller after the fact and say, oh by the way here is another pile of money that I really owe you
for the piece. So it goes both ways is what I am saying, and it is certainly buyer and sometimes
seller beware. I would like to think that if more dealers of authentic pieces were to get involved on
eBay and some organization could take place it could be a great venue for all who love African
art. There are thousands of potential buyers out there ready to click that bid button for the right
piece of art.
it is time to realign. I could easily hang on to ninety percent of what I am showing on this site but
am having a very hard time choosing what to let go of so I decided to list most of the collection
and let others take what they would like and I will be happy with what is left and then have room to
head in new directions. Selling African art is a difficult endeavor to say the least. There are many
factors in determining exactly how to classify each piece and placing a value accordingly. The art
offered here is varied due to my ever changing aesthetic and growing connoisseurship. Therefor
in the wake of my rapid, obsessive collecting we find a full range of art as for as quality and
beauty is concerned. Some of the pieces are authentic, some are reproductions and some are
frankly impossible to tell what's what, and this is the way I have designed the site: Authentic (you
can relax in knowing it is the real thing-price will be reflective of that); Great Art (all indications
are that the piece is right but a little something makes me question it - price will be based on
decorative value but piece could be right - I just sleep better knowing I'm not pulling one over on
you); Decorative (The piece is sure to be a reproduction - price will be affordable). Tagging the
art is sometimes difficult as I have some pieces which I have shown to experts and get different
opinions from each, so even they are in disagreement on these things at times but I will share with
you when we talk on a piece what has been said about it and you can make your own
determination. I plan to eventually have only great authentic art on my site but for now I need a
place to showcase the early pieces that need new homes. I want to keep the deals as honest as
possible and feel this breakdown to be the best approach. I am also listing items on consignment
from other collectors who are selling parts of their collections so not all pieces on this site are
from my personal collection, though most are. Prices will not be included as I am constantly
changing my mind about the importance of a piece to me. One day I might give it away and the
next it might take the mortgage on your house to get it. The site is mainly to show all that is
available and we can discuss the rest of it via email at terry@3riversart.com
More art will be added as I continue to find and photograph everything so you may want to check
back periodically although I must say it is a slow process.
To eBay or not to eBay is a big contention with a lot of collectors and dealers. The assumption is
that everything listed on eBay is a copy or fake. Well, I agree that for the most part that is true,
but most of the sellers have the pieces priced low as a copy or fake and no one is really getting
hurt. If you buy something hoping it is the real deal at a fake price then you are fooling yourself. If
you do get the opportunity to buy a great authentic piece for a fake price then all is swell, except
the poor soul who you just stole the piece from and I doubt there are too many of us who contact
the seller after the fact and say, oh by the way here is another pile of money that I really owe you
for the piece. So it goes both ways is what I am saying, and it is certainly buyer and sometimes
seller beware. I would like to think that if more dealers of authentic pieces were to get involved on
eBay and some organization could take place it could be a great venue for all who love African
art. There are thousands of potential buyers out there ready to click that bid button for the right
piece of art.
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Rivers Art
| African Art For Sale |
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| Click photos for more information. |
| Authentic African Art |
| Authenticity uncertain |
| Affordable art |