Friday, 4th February 2005 (4106 views)

US consumers who own what they believe to be authentic Indian jewellery can get their items viewed by experts at a special event in Arizona.

The Indian Art Roadshow will involve authentications of jewellery and examples of both real and fake items so people have an idea what to look out for.

In addition information will be provided on preventing the sale of illegitimate Indian art.

Tony Eriacho, Zuni Pueblo tribe member and vice president and founding member of the Council for Indigenous Arts and Cultures, told the Arizona Republic: "We're addressing an issue no one wants to address by showing the deceptions, the fakes, the misrepresentations of Indian art. It's nationwide. It's everywhere."

The council is now working with tribes in various areas to try and introduce some sort of certification trademark.

One expert, Jon Bonnell, has been selling Native American gold jewellery and art and has a good idea what to look out for.

Bonnell warned: "The tourists are getting ripped off, and the Indian craftsmen are losing money because they can't compete with $1 a day, which is what they are getting in Thailand."

 

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