Violations of the Indian Arts and Crafts
Act
While the beauty, quality, and collectability of authentic
Indian arts and crafts make each piece a unique reflection
of our American heritage, it is important that buyers be aware
that fraudulent Indian arts and crafts compete daily with
authentic Indian arts and crafts in the nationwide marketplace.
This consumer fraud not only harms the buyers, it also erodes
the overall Indian arts and crafts market and the economic
and cultural livelihood of Indian artists, craftspeople, and
Tribes. It is also against the law! It is a violation of the
Indian Arts and Crafts Act. If you become aware of any market
activity that you believe may be in violation of the Act,
similar to or different from the following examples, please
contact the Indian Arts and Crafts Board either online or
at:
Indian Arts and Crafts Board
U.S. Department of the Interior
1849 C Street, NW MS-2528-MIB
Washington, D.C. 20240
E-mail: iacb@ios.doi.gov
Telephone: (202) 208-3773
Toll Free: (888) ART-FAKE
Fax: (202) 208-5196
Example 1:
Retail
During a business trip to New Mexico and Arizona, Harry W.
went shopping for Indian jewelry for his girlfriend. Harry
W. was impressed with what was offered at a gallery near his
convention center hotel as outstanding “one-of-a-kind”
“handmade” Indian jewelry by Michael L., which
included silver, turquoise, jet, lapis, and other apparent
precious stones. The sales clerk represented Michael L. as
enrolled in one of the prominent New Mexico Pueblos and reported
that he produced each piece from his studio workbench. However,
as Harry W. traveled throughout New Mexico and Arizona, he
continued to see enormous volumes of work attributed to Michael
L. as “one-of-a-kind” “handmade” Indian
jewelry. As a result, he became suspicious that the work was
not made by one individual, but was being mass-produced. As
the various sales clerks’ stories about Michael L. contradicted
one another, Harry W. also began to suspect that the jewelry
was not even Indian made.
Example 2: Pow wow
Last summer, David B. and his family decided to attend a pow
wow in the Midwest to experience Indian dancing, music, and
craftwork first hand. After identifying a popular pow wow,
David and his family attended the event where they purchased
a number of items from a vendor’s booth, including Navajo
rug weavings, Zuni inlay jewelry, and Hopi kachinas. For insurance
purposes, David took the merchandise to a knowledgeable appraiser,
only to find that the work was imported.
Example 3: Internet
Sarah T. was a long-time collector of Alaska Native crafts.
In searching the Internet one evening, she found a surprising
selection of well-priced Alaska Native carvings, including
wooden masks and totems and ivory figurines. She purchased
the carvings and requested documentation for each piece. When
the shipment arrived, she became suspicious of the carving
documentation. Upon further inspection, she noticed a “Made
in Bali” mark on the back of one of the masks, and areas
on the other pieces that appeared to have country of origin
markings removed.
Example 4: Artist and Consumer
Mary B., an established potter enrolled in the Navajo Nation,
has a friend who recently purchased a piece of pottery marketed
as one of Mary B.’s for a deep discount from a shop
in another town. When the friend showed Mary B. the new purchase,
Mary B. became very upset and told him that she had not made
the piece of pottery.
To Report A Potential Violation
If you wish to report a potential violation, please fill out
the following information:
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