1. PARIS - Sothebys.com - Ellen Taubman - I was the former expert in charge of Tribal and American Indian art sales at Sotheby’s, New York, my career spanned the decades between the late 1970’s and into the late 1990’s. I became immersed and engaged in a culture of the great collectors who were distinguished in their expertise and generous in sharing their knowledge with others. For some of these collectors, their well-trained eyes enabled them to transcend cultural boundaries in their collecting interesting and appreciate the beauty of all great objects.
If asked to “categorize” Murray Frum in a “typology” of collectors, my response would be that he was one of the  most rarefied. Murray was a highly individual collector which is in many ways, perhaps what endeared him to so many of us.
His ever-present and insatiable curiosity for knowledge and information, his essential passion for art and history, his astute ability to assess what was quintessential, combined with his highly discriminating and exquisite taste level, put him in a place that one could only describe as exceptional.    While today many collectors often rely on the services of professional art advisors, it is impossible to even fathom Murray ever seeking this type of advice; he relied on the advice of his heart, his soul, his own gut instinct and his eye.  At the same time, it is hard to imagine a conversation with Murray when art was not included, nor could one imagine Murray anywhere in the world and ever missing an exhibition, a great piece of theatre, music or any site that was worthwhile to see. An insatiable traveller, Murray was continually looking, asking questions, acquiring knowledge about works already in his possession as well as learning
about new areas of interest and often acquiring works related to it.
In the fields of American Indian, African and Oceanic art many will recall that the decades of the 1970’s and 1980’s were a time of transition. Perhaps, part of the catalyst may have been the coming of age of one generation of collectors and the dispersion of their holdings. These sales enticed and allowed professional dealers, institutions and both established and new private collectors to meet and enter an arena where the excitement of competitive bidding often made for compelling theatre as well as record-breaking prices. For example, in the late 1970’s, the well-known and highly regarded collector George Ortiz sold his collection of world-class Oceanic Art at Sotheby’s London, a sale that generated tremendous international interest not only in the art community but also in the international press. This landmark auction was soon followed by the
dispersal of the James Hooper Collection in another series of sales in London.  Each of these auctions presented to the public market for the first time an unprecedented number of rare, and important and highly coveted early examples of sculpture from the South Seas, many with early collection provenance. The appearance of these historic treasures on the market, in turn, generated tremendous excitement resulting in a significant increase in prices and the number of and buyers among international collectors and institutions, including, at that time, the British Rail Pension Fund. Subsequently, other important and early examples of Oceanic Art came to the market including works from the Morris Pinto Collection and from the highly important collection of Dr. Edmund Carpenter and his wife Ms. Adelaide DeMenil, to name but a few. At this time too, potential buyers would more often travel to sales in London while Paris was yet to become the centre of the Tribal Art auction scene. Each of the auctions would turn out a large crowd and, often, Murray would be among them.... more
http://www.sothebys.com/en/news-video/auction-essays/tresors-collection-frum/2014/07/murray-frum-collector-connoisseur-friend.html

2. PARIS - Sothebys.com
Total : € 7.53 million / $9.74 million 100% of lots sold
New world auction records include
Uli Memorial Figure, New Ireland – €1.6 million / $2 million
Maori statue, New Zealand - €1.4 million / $1.8 million
14 works sold over €100,000
3 works sold over €1 million
 Paris, 16 September 2014 : This evening’s sale at Sotheby’s Paris of Murray Frum’s
collection of Oceanic Art was greeted with lengthy applause, confirming its place as the
landmark event which launched the Paris auction season. The record result achieved by the
sale is a triumphant homage to the exceptional eye of Murray Frum, who over the course of
fifty years brought together one of the world’s most beautiful collections of Oceanic Art,
combining extremely rare pieces of remarkable quality with historical provenance. With an
auction total of €7,530,838, almost $10 million, this ensemble of just 49 works set a new
world auction record for a sale of Oceanic art and confirms Sotheby’s position as leader in
this market.
During a hugely successful pre-sale exhibition, 2300 visitors recognized the quality of the works. A majority of lots were the subject of intense bidding, both in the room, on the telephone and online, drawing interest from Europe, the United States and Asia. Those present included both Oceanic art enthusiasts and buyers from across collecting categories.
Speaking after the sale, Jean Fritts, Sotheby’s International Director of the African and Oceanic Art Department commented: “This event is the most important in 40 years to focus entirely on Oceanic art. This evening’s result offers recognition of Murray Frum’s eye. It sets
a new reference point in this field and inscribes Oceanic Art as a new area for collecting, beyond conventional boundaries.”   The highest price achieved this evening was for a monumental uli carving from New
Ireland. This ancestral image of a powerful clan leader, which includes a rare secondary character, achieved the world auction record for an Uli art work, selling for €1,609,500 ($2,082,194). Collected before 1908 by Wilhelm Wöstrack, the uli passed into the collection
of the Linden Museum in Stuttgart, belonged to the early German collector in this field, Ernst Heinrich, and later to the Swiss surrealist painter and sculptor Serge Brignoni. The major work from Polynesia was a pou whakairo Maori statue – whose imposing face stands out all the more thanks to the beauty of his tattoos and added hair – considered as
the apogee of Maori art. Dating back to the late 18th century, it was acquired by a European
collector for €1,441,500 ($1,864,854), a world auction record for Maori work. It takes its
place in the very small corpus of free-standing Maori figures.
Among the other standout Polynesian pieces being offered today was a magnificent
sculpture: the head of a “Staff God” (atua rakau) from Raratonga in the Cook Islands,
which sold for €1,201,500 ($1,554,369). Formerly in the James Hooper collection, the Frum
staff god is one of the few examples to have survived the destruction carried out by John
Williams of the London Missionary Society in the 1820s.
A striking example of imunu sculpture by the Iwaino people of Papua New Guinea achieved €373,500 ($483,193), exceeding the pre-sale high estimate of €250,000.    This magnificent example of the dancing spirit figures created in the Gulf of Papua is without
equal both in sculptural quality and the expressiveness of the gesture. Connoisseurs could not fail to see the remarkable quality of an important figurative
fly whisk handle, tahiri ra’a, a masterpiece of small scale carving from the Rurutu Islands or Tupua’i, Austral Islands. Having caught the eye of many collectors, it was acquired for more than triple its pre-sale high estimate: €337,500 ($436,620). The sculpture
has a distinguished history, probably collected by a member of the London Missionary Society in the 1820s.

 Dr Murray Frum (1931-2013)
 Murray Frum was a Canadian real estate developer. His parents had emigrated to Canada from
Poland in 1930, and he grew up in Canada. It was a visit to New York in the late 1950s to the
Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York that sparked his passion for collecting. During this visit, he
was able to buy a duplicate Egyptian standing figure from the Met's collection. The idea
for Murray and his wife that you could own a work of art which was several hundred years old was
astonishing. Over the next fifty years, he assembled an extraordinarily diverse collection of African,
Oceanic, Pre-Columbian, Silver, Art Deco, and Renaissance art as well as Canadian paintings.

Upcoming auctions of African Art at Sotheby’s
This winter Sotheby’s will host two important collections from both sides of the Atlantic. On the 11th  of November in New York, we will offer for sale the Myron Kunin collection of African Art. On the 10th of December, Sotheby’s Paris will present the Alexis Bonew collection of African Art, centering on works from the former Congo and featuring several historical pieces unseen in public since 1937.

3. PARIS - Sothebys results Murray Frum Collection
Murray Frum’s collection of Oceanic Art sold at Sotheby’s in Paris yesterday. All 49 lots were purchased for a total of $9.4m. The pre-sale exhibition had drawn a healthy 2300 visitors and there were records set as well as 3 works making more than €1m.

In the Christmas Newsletter we should have an update on the ivory ban. November meetings with Fish and Wildlife and reflections on the November elections should provide some insight what at least the immediate future holds. Regardless of your political preferences the election will make it more difficult for the Obama administration to pursue this ban.

As a consequence of traveling around the country with Antiques Roadshow all summer, we have been fortunate to find more interesting objects which we will feature in the coming months. A good portion of our time has been devoted to appraising some major collections. We have just finished working on the Alan Sawyer Collection of Andean art of over 800 objects for the Museum of Anthropology, University of British Columbia. Appraising and authenticating is fascinating work that certainly compliments all that we do on Antiques Roadshow and in the gallery.

I think even the most optimistic art experts would not have predicted that the Sothebys sale of Myron Kunin's African collection would gross 41 million dollars. Clearly Sothebys' marketing was brilliant; and clearly these results don't mean that the African auction market is back at all levels. Myron was a very complex guy that played his hand close to the chest. He would have been very amused and vindicated by this outcome.

"Detroit’s price tag for lawyers, experts and other costs of the bankruptcy proceedings was $150 million." And this doesn't ensure that Detroit will not again fall into trouble. When the Detroit Institute of Arts was required to pledge 100 million toward the pension fund, we wonder just how log will it take will it takes this institution to again be financially stable. 

Finally we have been amazed at the extraordinary discoveries over the past few years at Teotihuacan in central Mexico just north of Mexico City. artdaily.org has done a great job keeping up and sharing these moments with us all. We also highly recommend the newsletter published by the Committee for Cultural Policy which cover the latest events in cultural patrimony, endangered species, and other related issues. See www.committeeforculturalpolicy.org.

The recent archaeological accounts below report on current efforts, several of them long-term, ongoing projects, to probe more and more deeply beneath the surface for possible answers to some of the above questions. A great barrier still remains in the mysterious absence of any developed system of written language paralleling the advanced hieroglyphic writing system of the Maya and nascent ones in Oaxaca and the Gulf coastal areas." John Lunsford ( see background at the end of this article)

1. April 11, 2011 - BARCELONA.- Teotihuacan, City of the Gods, the most complete exhibition ever devoted to Teotihuacan culture recently opened at Caixaforum Barcelona.
The objective behind the exhibitions that “la Caixa” Foundation has devoted in recent years to the great cultures of the past is to illustrate how men and women in different places and times  have attempted to
answer the great universal questions, and to increase our understanding of the world by showcasing the most recent historic and archaeological research.
To this end, such exhibitions as those devoted to the Steppe Route, Afghanistan, Nubia, the Persian Empire and treasures from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia have all served to underline the  links between the ancient and modern worlds, and to present culture as a means of understanding and communication between peoples.
This is not the first time that an exhibition at ”la Caixa” Foundation has focused on ancient Mexican cultures; having previously showcased Life and Death. Funeral Art in Western Mexico, then,  ”la Caixa” Foundation now presents Teotihuacan, City of the Gods.
Jointly organised with the Mexican National Institute of Anthropology and History, Teotihuacan, City of the Gods commemorates a century of archaeological excavations in that pre-Hispanic  city. The most important exhibition ever devoted to Teotihuacan culture, the show is presented at CaixaForum as part of an international itinerary that has taken it to Mexico (Monterrey and Mexico DF) and several European cities, including Paris, Zurich,  Berlin and Rome. Already, more than 350,000 people have taken the chance to admire the many outstanding works the show features. “The Place of the Gods” The city of Teotihuacan, located 45 kilometres from Mexico City, is one of the archaeological wonders of the world and was declared a World Heritage site by UNESCO in 1987. The principal  monuments in the city —the Pyramid of the Sun and the Pyramid of the Moon, which are connected by the Avenue of the Dead, the beautiful Palace of the Jaguars and the Temple of  Quetzalcóalt— are references in universal culture.. More... http://artdaily.com/news/46433/A-Century-of-Archaeological-Excavations-Commemorated-in--Teotihuacan--City-of-the-Gods- #.VFQdMf50zVk


2. April 26, 2013 - MEXICO CITY (AFP).- A small robot has discovered three possible burial chambers under a temple in Mexico's pre-Hispanic city of Teotihuacan, a find that may reveal secrets  about funeral rituals in the ancient site.
The robot, dubbed Tlaloc II-TC, located the chambers in the last section of a 2,000-year-old tunnel tucked under the Temple of the Feathered Snake, surprising archeologists who had expected  to find just one room.
The National Anthropology and History Institute said the find could shed light on the burial rituals of the rulers of Teotihuacan, which is some 40 kilometers (25 miles) from Mexico City.
The mystery-filled ancient city is known for its majestic pyramids of the sun and the moon, but little is known about the people who inhabited the site. Teotihuacan, whose name means "City of  Gods," had long been abandoned when Aztecs arrived in the area in the 1300s.
The tunnel under the Temple of Quetzacoatl, or Feathered Snake, was discovered after heavy rain uncovered a hole in the ground in 2003.
Tlaloc II-TC, named after the Aztec god of rain, was made to navigate rough terrain and is equipped with an infrared camera and a scanner that generates detailed maps.
The next step in the research will be to remove rubble blocking the last 30 meters (98 feet) of the 120-meter (394-foot) long tunnel, the anthropology institute said. Archeologists believe the  obstruction hides a staircase that goes down three to four meters deeper below ground....
More....http://artdaily.com/news/62179/Robot-discovers-three-possible-chambers-under-Mexico-s-pre-Hispanic-city-of-Teotihuacan#.VFQZn_50zVk

3.  June 3, 2013 - MEXICO CITY.- The National Institute of Archaeology and History (INAH) is promoting the Mural Painting Conservation Project in Teotihuacan. This project is taking place in  situ and in archives, indeed a tremendous labor, as Ph.D. Maria Teresa Uriarte affirms, “it’s not wild to state that this ancient city was one of the most decorated (with murals and paintings) of  the ancient world.”
“We know that the building were completely polychrome, and many of its floors also have remains, since floors were painted as well” signaled the specialist in Teotihuacan culture and pre  Hispanic mural paintings. Therefore the transcendence of the initiative by INAH which is being lead by restorer Gloria Torres
Rodriguez and archaeologist Claudia Lopez Perez of INAH.
With the purpose of the project being the detection of the murals’ theme, many of its resources are being transferred to the registry of the murals. This registry is also including the murals’  remains in situ (monochrome and polychrome), mural fragments and those found in archaeological excavations, and those that fell and were mounted on synthetic supports. These works of art  where made between the years 200 and 700 AD.
The elaboration of a glossary is also part of the project, as well as a file with a general diagnosis by area, in conformity to what was established in the Management Plan of the pre Hispanic site.
In this sense, one of the fundamental contributions, informed archaeologists Claudia Lopez, is the enquiry that investigators can make of the database, “we will provide elements with which  they can interpret the murals through the iconography. The designs, shapes and styles will be referenced through the glossary”. ...More..http://artdaily.com/news/62989/Mexico-s-National- Institute-of-Archaeology-and-History-announces-Mural-Painting-Conservation-Project#.VFQae_50zVk


4. October 30, 2014 -  MEXICO CITY.- With the announcement that the most recent explorations of the Tlalocan Project have led to the discovery of the threshold of three chambers located  under the Temple of the Feathered Serpent in Teotihuacan, Teresa Franco, director of the National Institute of Anthropology and History (INAH), expressed that this and other investigations  under development by the institution create the unique opportunity to understand in depth the cultures in Mesoamerica and Aridoamerica.
The Tlalocan Project: A Path Under the Earth and the incentives of other spaces and structures in Teotihuacan have become the evidence of systematic studies that have been made in these  archaeological zones, enabling researchers to analyze data, revise hypothesis and even calculate the chronology of a metropolis that was developed during eight centuries.
Teresa Franco added that these labors have been multidisciplinary, which has allowed the use of advanced technology, such as the georadar, the laser scanner and a couple of robots developed  by graduates from the National Polytechnic Institute of Mexico. The information derived from the use of these tools has aided investigators to excavate all the way to the last part of a tunnel,  which was closed off 800 thousand years ago by the people in Teotihuacan.
It was before the media that the recently discovered threshold that held the varied offerings was announced, this being the richest one found up to date and which stands guard to three  chambers....More...http://artdaily.com/news/73947/Archaeologists-reveal-1-800-year-old-secrets-of-the-Temple-of-the-Feathered-Serpent-#.VFQbwP50zVk


5.  March 7, 2011 - MEXICO CITY.- A monolith that represents a yet unknown deity that during the first 2 centuries of our era was part of the Sun Pyramid, in the Prehispanic city of  Teotihuacan, will be exhibited for the first time in Six Ancient Cities of Mesoamerica. Society and Environment to be opened at the National Museum of Anthropology (MNA) in Mexico City.
Jointly with this piece, discovered in 2007, will be presented the most complete sculpture found until now of Huehueteotl, deity of fire, informed archaeologist Alejandro Sarabia, curator of  the hall dedicated to Teotihuacan at the great exhibition that will gather more than 400 Prehispanic pieces representing the development of this ancient city, as well as Monte Alban, El Tajin,  Palenque, Tenochtitlan and Tlatelolco.
Teotihuacan pieces recently found were discovered during different explorations at the Moon Pyramid and archaeological salvages at the town of San Juan Teotihuacan, in Estado de Mexico.
The director of the archaeological site remarked that the monolith made out of gray andesite “is unique because it depicts a yet unidentified deity in Teotihuacan iconography. It conserves  stucco and pigments, mainly red, representing an odd case regarding other carved stone in the site”.
Sarabia declared that this sculpture was located in December 2007 in a platform that surrounds the southwestern corner of the Sun Pyramid; after its discovery, it underwent a long  conservation process (at the restoration area of the archaeological site), with the aim of fixing the pigments.
“The monolith is 98 centimeters high, 106 wide and 93 deep; it dates from an early stage in the history of Teotihuacan, between centuries 1 and 2 of the Common Era; it must have been used as  an architectural element of the Sun Pyramid, and then it was dismantled with more sculptures, to be part of the offering at another building attached to it.
Archaeologist Sergio Gomez Chavez did a brief recount of all the labors that began 11 years ago with a fortuitous event, when one October morning the intense rain had left open an 83  centimeter [32.67 inch] cavity in front of the Citadel’s Duplex Building. ... More ... http://artdaily.com/news/45506/Monolith-Part-of-Teotihuacan-Sun-Pyramid-to-be-Exhibited-for-the-First- Time#.VFQckv50zVk


6. February 14, 2013 - MEXICO CITY.- Archaeologists from the National Institute of Anthropology and History (INAH - Conaculta) found, at the peak of Pyramid of the Sun, the biggest  Huehueteotl (Old God or God of Fire) sculpture in Teotihuacan, Estado de Mexico; they also found two complete green stone stelae and a fragment of another one, which must have decorated  the temple that crowned this construction 1,500 years ago.
Archaeologist Alejandro Sarabia whom, together with his colleague, PhD Saburo Sagiyuma from the Provincial University of Aichi (Japan), has been developing since 2005 the Pyramid of the  Sun Project, informed that the pieces where found inside a well that possibly dates back to the end of the V century or the beginning of the VI century of our era.
The temple, which existed at the peak of the pyramid, was destroyed by Teotihuacan’s people during this period, but some architectonic elements –much like the stelae– where left in place.  Sarabia and his team consider that the well was excavated in pre Hispanic times in order to recover the main offering of the construction. This was an act that demystified the construction;  also, ancient Teotihuacans spread the main offering in other public buildings of the ancient city.
Archaeologist Nelly Zoe Nuñez Rendon, another investigator of the Pyramid of the Sun Project, who is responsible for the excavations at the top of the construction, said that the excavations’  initial objective was to locate the last movement of the bodies.....More..  http://artdaily.com/news/60734/Archaeologists-find-large-sculpture-of-Huehuet-otl--God-of-Fire--atop-the-Pyramid- of-the-Sun#.VFQYnf50zVk

7. MEXICO CITY - In pictures: Relics discovered in Mexico's TeotihuacanSome 50,000 relics have been discovered in Mexico in the ancient city of Teotihuacan, Mexican archaeologists say.
The city, located about 50 km (30 miles) northeast of Mexico City, dominated central Mexico in pre-Columbian times. http://www.bbc.com/news/world-latin-america-29828309

8. MEXICO CITY.- July 26, 2009 - Sun Pyramid was the axis mundi for Teotihuacan culture, a space from which celestial and underworld levels were accessed symbolically. The four directions of the universe parted from here as well, and this scheme was adopted later by Tolteca and Mexica societies when drafting their ceremonial centers.
The later was informed by archaeologist Eduardo Matos Moctezuma during his participation at “Teotihuacan, identity and heritage of Mexico” master conference series, taking place in the National Museum of Anthropology (MNA) as part of the 70th anniversary of the National Institute of Anthropology and History (INAH) celebrations.
For the INAH emeritus professor that collaborated with the Teotihuacan Project (1962-1964) and directed a special archaeological initiative there in the early 1990’s, there are several elements that confirm the sacredness of the Sun Pyramid.
“These axis mundi buildings face east, present evidence of human sacrifices, are related to water and fertility, are linked to death-life duality, and are surrounded by great platforms that prevent direct entrance to them”.
During the archaeological explorations where he participated, it was confirmed that access was restricted: the only entrance was through the Dead Roadway and the frontal staircase, which points out to its sacredness.
“We think the Sun Pyramid was the first center of Teotihuacan city. Towards 250 AD, it would be moved to the south, at La Ciudadela and the Feathered Serpent Temple, where the axis mundi patron repeated” declared the Colegio Nacional Member. .... more... http://artdaily.com/news/32282/Sun-Pyramid-was-the-Axis-Mundi-for-Teotihuacan-Culture-#.VFaMkP50zVk

9.  MEXICO CITY.- April 1, 2010 - Iconographic studies of Teotihuacan murals confirm the extension of the lineage of a ruler of the ancient city of Tikal, Guatemala, already revealed by epigraphists of the Maya area.
The aforementioned investigation sums up to interpretations of Stele 31 of Tikal that relate to the dynastic line of Atlatl-Cauac (“Dart-thrower Owl”), possible ruler of Teotihuacan between 374 and 439 AD, and whose son, Yax Nuun Ayiin I, was seignior of Tikal. The emblem of this lineage would be represented by the image of a bird with a shield, observed in Teotihuacan murals, declared Dr. Raul Garcia Chavez, researcher at the National Institute of Anthropology and History (INAH).
There would be a relation between the register at Tikal and other Maya sites of late 4th century, which refers to the son of Atlatl-Cauac, Yax Nuun Ayiin I, as ruler of Tikal between 379 and 404 AD, commented the researcher during his participation at the 6th Academic Conference of Archaeology at Templo Mayor Museum.
The archaeologist from Estado de Mexico INAH Center, remarked that a series of enthroned figures with eye rings and headdress began appearing at iconographic register of Teotihuacan from 370 of the Common Era, possibly symbolizing the supreme ruler of the Central High Plateau city.
Iconography apparently indicates that the Teotihuacan ruler “was part of a clan whose emblem was an owl with a shield crossed by a hand taking up a dart or the dart-thrower. Sometimes it was represented with a cotton tassel headdress and the eye rings; others, without eye rings but enthroned”, explained the specialist.
“Evidence (at Teotihuacan) is fragmented. Some representations at the murals, among them a green-feathered bird with a dart-thrower (atlatl) and a shield, could refer to this character “Dart-thrower Owl” or maybe to his representation as a mythic element”.
“This representation has been found in many examples of Teotihuacan mural painting. Nevertheless, most paintings are fragmented so iconographic discourse is incomprehensible”. ... more..
 http://artdaily.com/news/37184/Teotihuacan-Lineage-at-Tikal-Studied#.VFaN9P50zVk

10. MEXICO CITY. - October 6, 2010 - Although research conducted at Teotihuacan Archaeological Zone has allowed determining several of its urban features, the construction of its most emblematic monument, the Sun Pyramid, still presents enigmas, like the real significance it had for dwellers, since no historical sources exist.
M.A. Ruben Cabrera Castro, researcher at the National Institute of Anthropology and History (INAH), tried to elucidate the sense this 65-meter building had for ancient Teotihuacan dwellers. Although information has been provided by material rests found, it is difficult to be certain about Prehispanic thought.
At the conference series at the Center of Teotihuacan Studies, part of commemorations of the centennial of the opening of the archaeological site, Cabrera recalled that recently archaeologist Jaime Delgado conducted a survey among dwellers of the Valley of Teotihuacan and urban communities near Mexico City, workers and specialists at the archaeological site: What does the Sun Pyramid Means to You?
General population manifested that it is the most important building of Teotihuacan, a monument dedicated to the Sun, a center of energy, the main attraction of Teotihuacan, something majestic, a manifestation of despotic power, a ceremonial center, a tomb, a national symbol, an enigma…for archaeologists it is the central nucleus of Teotihuacan urban system too.
Still, its original meaning is a mystery, “mainly because in Teotihuacan we don’t have well-analyzed writing; glyphs were recently found at La Ventilla neighborhood, but they are being analyzed”, mentioned Ruben Cabrera.
According to the archaeologist, “this building is for many researchers a “water mountain” or altepetl: it is known that pyramids are replicas of hills, which were conceived as water providers.
“This allows us thinking that the Sun Pyramid is related to strength, fertility, water and the underworld, from where life comes from and where humans go after death, and maybe important characters, from the point of view of Teotihuacan people”. .. more.. http://artdaily.com/news/41546/Teotihuacan-s-Emblematic-Monument--The-Sun-Pyramid--Still-an-Enigma-for-Archaeologists#.VFaS__50zVk


11. MEXICO CITY.  August 5, 2009  - More than 300 greenstone tiles found inside the Moon Pyramid originated a human sculpture that gives testimony of the esthetic cannons of the ancient Teotihuacan culture. The effigy is one of the emblematic pieces of the exhibition “Teotihuacan. Ciudad de los Dioses” (Teotihuacan, City of Gods), open until late August in the National Museum of Anthropology (MNA).
Fragments were found in 2004 by archaeologists from the National Institute of Anthropology and History (INAH) associated to the Burial 6 of the pyramid. Specialist though the pieces were part of a mask.
Dated near 300 AD and made out of serpentine, reconstruction of the “Anthropomorphic Figure” was an arduous work directed by restorer Laura Filloy Nadal, from the MNA Conservation Laboratory.
The figure also has fragments of calcite, dolomite, jade and obsidian that form eyes, lips, and jewelry such as earpieces and necklace.
Restoration of the representation of a high rank character or warrior began with photographic register in situ of the pieces in order to specify the place of each piece. Fragments have different sizes, from a millimeter to 3 centimeters that formed a torso, arms and a pair of earpieces. Carbonized fragments that might have been
a support were also found.
“Tiles corresponded to the frontal part of a sculpture” specified Filloy, adding that tiles’ morphology varied from fragments of curved to straight cuts, with convex, concave or flat surfaces. Edges were cut on the bias to be assembled.
Using 3 dimensional images, an preliminary effigy was modeled that later was made out with plasticine; this allowed to determine the place of each piece.
A 31 centimeters high full-body human figure resulted, and then a rigid resin cast was created to glue on each fragment with a transparent adhesive.
The final touch consisted in the general polish of the sculpture, mentioned Laura Filloy, after declaring that aluminum tubes were installed inside the structure to give it stability. .. more ...
http://artdaily.com/news/32511/Restored-Teotihuacan-Effigy-Exhibited-at-National-Museum-of-Anthropology-#.VFaQuP50zVk

For some time rescue dogs have been a big part of Barbara and my life.  As many of you know you do sacrifice the occasional piece of furniture or art. Somehow around the holidays it seems like a reasonable price to pay. We remember most of them here. Unfortunately, Annie and Jessie are gone but Izzy and Chakka will no doubt be around for quite some time. One of our holiday traditions is including our four-legged friends in the Christmas cards. This year we decided to pay special respects to those no longer with us.

In the past month I have been in New Orleans, Tucson, Chicago, and St. Louis, so we welcome the holidays and a chance to catch a breather. 2015 looks to be even busier with continued unpredictability in the market place. In our next newsletter we shall evaluate the recent auctions in New York and Paris. Sothebys continues to do an amazing job in marketing African and Oceanic art. Many of us have mixed feelings about whether their success is a good thing or a warning sign of things to come. It certainly appears that new less knowledgeable buyers from other areas have greatly impacted rising prices, which then significantly influence future expectations of collectors, dealers, and yes even the auction houses. We can only hope that we are not watching an elaborate game of musical chairs. The Myron Kunin sale at Sothebys certainly exceeded expectations grossing  $41,617,500.

For 2015 we will certainly be covering changes from Fish and Wildlife and the U.S. Government on repatriation issues. Again we strongly recommend following the newsletter available at http://committeeforculturalpolicy.org/ for up to date information on many of the issues impacting the art world.

On an optimistic note if you are a passionately collector but can't afford the top of the food chain, I believe there will be great bargains available in the coming year. Many financial experts are predicting a market correction in 2015 which will undoubtedly have an adverse impact on the art market. This will create opportunities.

Unfortunately there are only a few weeks left in the runs of the Polynesian show in St. Louis and the Indian show in Kansas City. The latter will move on to the Met in the early spring but this is the last venue for Mike Gunn's show. At the very least get the catalogs for both of these which have objects that will not be in the States again for a very long time.

Last year we shared photos of how Christmas was being  celebrated around the world. We had such a positive response,we have repeated and expanded it again this year.

Ugly Christmas sweaters have become big business and like much of the holiday season these symbols of bad taste have lost much of their meaning. Anyone can make an ugly sweater. The meaning of truth is found in how many people can honestly try to make a great sweater and instead create something horrific. These well meaning holiday warriors are the true heroes of Christmas. For your entertainment I have looked at may ugly sweaters that MAY fit the true meaning of Christmas. This has not been an easy task which has driven me to wine. I have ended this group with a nice snow scene to calm your sensibilities.

Christmas History
Decorations

"A typical Neapolitan presepe/presepio, or Nativity scene. Local crèches are renowned for their ornate decorations and symbolic figurines, often mirroring daily life.The practice of putting up special decorations at Christmas has a long history. In the 15th century, it was recorded that in London it was the custom at Christmas for every house and all the parish churches to be "decked with holm, ivy, bays, and whatsoever the season of the year afforded to be green".[132] The heart-shaped leaves of ivy were said to symbolize the coming to earth of Jesus, while holly was seen as protection against pagans and witches, its thorns and red berries held to represent the Crown of Thorns worn by Jesus at the crucifixion and the blood he shed.
Nativity scenes are known from 10th-century Rome. They were popularised by Saint Francis of Asissi from 1223, quickly spreading across Europe. Different types of decorations developed across the Christian world, dependent on local tradition and available resources, and can vary from simple representations of the crib to far more elaborate sets - renowned manger scene traditions include the colourful Kraków szopka in Poland,which imitate Kraków's historical buildings as settings, the elaborate Italian presepi (Neapolitan, Genoese and Bolognese),or the Provençal crèches in southern France, using hand-painted terracotta figurines called santons. In certain parts of the world, notably Sicily, living nativity scenes following the tradition of Saint Francis are a popular alternative to static crèches.The first commercially produced decorations appeared in Germany in the 1860s, inspired by paper chains made by children.In countries
where a representation of the Nativity scene is very popular, people are encouraged to compete and create the most original or realistic ones. Within some families, the pieces used to make the representation are considered a valuable family heirloom.

The traditional colors of Christmas decorations are red, green, and gold. Red symbolizes the blood of Jesus, which was shed in his crucifixion, while green symbolizes eternal life, and in particular the evergreen tree, which does not lose its leaves in the winter, and gold is the first color associated with Christmas, as one of the three gifts of the Magi, symbolizing royalty. On Christmas Day, the Christ Candle in the center of the Advent wreath is traditionally lit in many church services. The Christmas tree is considered by some as Christianisation of pagan tradition and ritual surrounding the Winter Solstice, which included the use of evergreen boughs, and an adaptation of pagan tree worship;[146] according to eighth-century biographer Æddi Stephanus, Saint Boniface (634–709), who was a missionary in Germany, took an axe to an oak tree dedicated to Thor and pointed out a fir tree, which he stated was a more fitting object of reverence because it pointed to heaven and it had a triangular shape, which he said was symbolic of the Trinity. The English language phrase "Christmas tree" is first recorded in 1835 and represents an importation from the German language. The modern Christmas tree tradition is believed to have begun in Germany in the 18th century though many argue that Martin Luther began the tradition in the 16th century.

From Germany the custom was introduced to Britain, first via Queen Charlotte, wife of George III, and then more successfully by Prince Albert during the reign of Queen Victoria. By 1841 the Christmas tree had become even more widespread throughout Britain. By the 1870s, people in the United States had adopted the custom of putting up a Christmas tree.Christmas trees may be decorated with lights and ornaments.
Since the 19th century, the poinsettia, a native plant from Mexico, has been associated with Christmas. Other popular holiday plants include holly, mistletoe, red amaryllis, and Christmas cactus. Along with a Christmas tree, the interior of a home may be decorated with these plants, along with garlands and evergreen foliage. The display of Christmas villages has also become a tradition in many homes during this season. The outside of houses may be decorated with lights and sometimes with illuminated sleighs, snowmen, and other Christmas figures. Other traditional decorations include bells, candles, candy canes, stockings, wreaths, and angels. Both the displaying of wreaths and candles in each window are a more traditional Christmas
display. The concentric assortment of leaves, usually from an evergreen, make up Christmas wreaths and are designed to prepare Christians for the Advent season. Candles in each window are meant to demonstrate the fact that Christians believe that Jesus Christ is the ultimate light of the world.

Christmas lights and banners may be hung along streets, music played from speakers, and Christmas trees placed in prominent places. It is common in many parts of the world for town squares and consumer shopping areas to sponsor and display decorations. Rolls of brightly colored paper with secular or religious Christmas motifs are manufactured for the purpose of wrapping gifts. In some countries, Christmas decorations are traditionally taken down on Twelfth Night, the evening of January 5." wikipedia.org

Early Man
1.PARIS (AFP).- Neanderthals shared Europe with modern humans for as long as five millennia until they died out 40,000 years ago -- "ample time" for cultural exchanges and interbreeding, researchers said on Wednesday. While there is no evidence that the two groups lived closely together, they did co-exist for anything from 25 to 250 generations, depending on the region, according to a paper published in the journal Nature. "The results reveal a significant overlap of 2,600-5,400 years," wrote the researchers, who used improved technology to date about 200 samples of bone, charcoal and shell from 40 archaeological sites from Russia to Spain. This was "ample time for interaction and interbreeding," said a press statement.
In the latest attempt to date our cousins' final moments on Earth, the team found that Neanderthals disappeared at different times from different parts of Europe instead of being replaced by humans at one fell swoop. The question of how, why and when Neanderthals became extinct, leaving humans to take over, has long fascinated scientists. Some have postulated a much more recent disappearance. Anatomically-modern humans, having originated in Africa, reached Europe between 50,000 and 30,000 years ago, finding Neanderthals there. Their brief interaction resulted in non-African people today carrying about 1.5-2.1 percent Neanderthal DNA. According to the new, six-year study, Europe 45,000 years ago was still occupied mainly by Neanderthals with small pockets of humans in between. This balanced shifted over the following 5,000 years, until the Neanderthals eventually disappeared, the paper said. Rather than modern humans abruptly replacing their distant cousins, there appears to have been a progressive change "characterised by a biological and cultural mosaic that lasted for several thousand years," the researchers wrote. They said theirs was the most accurate dating yet of this period in history. Reliable radiocarbon dating is often rendered difficult by the degradation of carbon in bone or rock samples older than 25,000 years.
"Previous radiocarbon dates have often underestimated the age of samples from sites associated with Neanderthals because the organic matter was contaminated with modern particles," said study leader Thomas Higham of Oxford University. "We used ultrafiltration methods, which purify the extracted collagen from bone, to avoid the risk of contamination. "This means we can say with more confidence that we have finally resolved the timing of the disappearance of our close cousins, the Neanderthals." The study did not reach a conclusion on whether there had been a single human-Neanderthal interbreeding event, or several over time. "Of course the Neanderthals are not completely extinct, because some of their genes are in most of us today," said Higham.
http://artdaily.com/news/72293/Neanderthals-and-humans-were-both-living-in-Europe-for-between-2-600-and-5-400-years#.VF1b9P50zVk

We are delighted to welcome new interns Maria Hotovy and Codie Barry, both of whom are juniors at the University of Dallas. Maria and Codie have already made a contribution and we look forward to working with them in the coming months. Please see their bios in this issue.

The great Plains show has now opened at the Metropolitan Museum. We have covered it again in this issue and we hope you have an opportunity to see it. It is truly spectacular, containing objects that you undoubtedly will never see again in person.

Our lead story is the crisis in the Middle East, with ISIS destroying archaeological sites and the many treasures in the Mosul museum. Unfortunately, this will not change with negotiation or education or country building. I do not see anyone who can change this course stepping up in time to protect the heritage in this region. This really should be an issue that the right and the left could come together on in Washington D.C. But if beheading Christians won't do it, I guess a smashed antiquity won't either. The world should all be lobbying their politicians to isolate politically and economically anyone who does this or anyone who supports anyone that does it. How at any level you can negotiate with someone that supports this sort of brutality is apparently a question that for some is not relevant.
The renovations of the Indiana University Art Museum and reinstallation of the Raymond Wielgus collection was scheduled to be well underway by 2015. We haven't received any updates from the director; however, we shall continue to follow this story. As the appraiser on this collection I wonder in light of the success of the Myron Kunin sale at Sothebys in New York, what the Wielgus collection would be worth now.
Finally the efforts by the current administration to ban the sale of all ivory has been delayed by the Republican successes in the mid term elections. As a consequence, the environmentalists pursuing this ban have shifted their focus to a state by state ban. In this issue we have summarized what has happened to date. We shall be following this closely in the coming months. JB

This update is not meant to debate again the ivory ban. The article below from thedodo.com is offered as an edited unbiased status report of what's happening. Our blog will continue to cover this in the coming months as we have in previous issues of the Newsletter.


In February, Vermont introduced a key measure to completely ban its domestic elephant ivory and rhinoceros horn commerce, joining nearly 20 states taking action to eliminate the ivory trade in 2015.
In 2014, New Jersey and New York made history as the first states to pass stronger ivory trade restrictions. New Jersey's law, a full ban on all ivory and rhino horn sales in the state, took effect this past February.
As of March 1, a plethora of diverse states — including California, Vermont, Illinois, Massachusetts, Hawaii, Florida, Oklahoma, Virginia, Maryland, Washington State, Iowa and Connecticut — have all introduced similar measures to end ivory and rhino horn trade in 2015. In addition, action is underway to introduce ivory sales bans in Colorado, Nevada, Idaho, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Delaware and the District of Columbia.




While approximately 20 states are taking action to end the ivory trade in their states, some are further along than others in the process. A few of them have key hearings this week.
Here's a summary of states taking action to end ivory trade thus far in 2015:

1. California

Bill introduced; currently in committee.
California impacts 20 percent of the US economy and has our nation's second largest market for ivory. That's why it's key that the Sunshine State bans ivory trade with no further exemptions.
Upcoming Hearing: The measure (AB 96) will be heard before the California State Assembly, Water, Parks, and Wildlife Committee, at 9:30 a.m. PST March 10 at the State Capitol in Sacramento. For more info and actions on how you can show your support, click here.

2. Illinois

Bill introduced February 20.

3. Massachusetts

Bill introduced and moving quickly.

4. Hawaii

Bill introduced; currently in committee.
Hawaii has the third largest market for illegal ivory in the United States. Support for an ivory ban is strong, but the opposition is also vocal. For more information on ongoing efforts to end the ivory trade in Hawaii, click here.

5. Vermont

Bill introduced February 24.
For more information, including how to show your support, click here.

6. Maryland

Bill introduced; currently in committee.
Upcoming Hearing: The bill, HB0713, will be debated before the House Judiciary Committee in a hearing scheduled for 1 p.m. March 4 at the Maryland House Office Building, Room 100, 6 Bladen Street. For more information, including how to show your support, click here.

7. Florida

Bill introduced February 20.

8. Oklahoma

Bill introduced.

9. Connecticut

Four bills introduced by four lawmakers.

10. Iowa

Bill introduced.

11. Washington State

Introduced in January; died in committee.

12. Virginia

Introduced in January; died in committee.

13. Delaware

Action underway.

14. Nevada

Action underway.

15. Colorado

Action underway.

16. District of Columbia

Action underway.

17. Idaho

Action underway.

18. Oregon

Action underway.

19. Pennsylvania

Action underway.