The question that begs asking concerning the current nightmare besetting the antiques industry but which is really about one of two brothers, one based in London and the other in New York (the were partners at one time) is just why the London based dealer's reputation was so wonderful. Was it his goods, his prices or his personal magnetism? Why does his reputation stand out as being great given all the other very good dealers that are out there? In short, it doesn't. He just created a myth that people bought into.
Inevitably, because of past association and a shared surname, the New York based brother is facing difficulties which he is answering by a press release offering, "Authentication Guarantees". I thought that was what a bill of sale was, but then PR is very important and this may serve to quell or even quash rumors associating him with the pecadilloes alleged to have been committed by his brother.
The New York based brother has devoted clients--I have met several of them over the years. However, I know that he has benefitted tremendously from agents, be they "experts" or decorators who have brought clients to him. These are the people that he is most in danger of losing by any whiff of scandal and they are extraordinarily important. The "authentication guarantee" might be enough to save these clients and it might not. Time, on this story, will tell. |
