Responsible collecting guide

How to Sell Ancient Artifacts Responsibly

Provenance file, legal review, specialist channel, disclosures and shipping.

Ancient artifacts are not ordinary secondhand goods. Their archaeological context, lawful movement, ownership history and physical stability can be more important than immediate market appeal.

1. Resolve title first

Resolve title first should be documented against the exact physical object, likely source jurisdiction, ownership timeline and conservation condition. Record uncertainty rather than replacing it with a confident market phrase.

2. Disclose restoration

Disclose restoration should be documented against the exact physical object, likely source jurisdiction, ownership timeline and conservation condition. Record uncertainty rather than replacing it with a confident market phrase.

3. Use specialist venue

Use specialist venue should be documented against the exact physical object, likely source jurisdiction, ownership timeline and conservation condition. Record uncertainty rather than replacing it with a confident market phrase.

4. Retain records

Retain records should be documented against the exact physical object, likely source jurisdiction, ownership timeline and conservation condition. Record uncertainty rather than replacing it with a confident market phrase.

5. Calculate net

Calculate net should be documented against the exact physical object, likely source jurisdiction, ownership timeline and conservation condition. Record uncertainty rather than replacing it with a confident market phrase.

Due-diligence rule: Authenticity does not prove legal title, and a negative stolen-object search does not prove lawful export.

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