It looks like the real thing ! The listing says it's old ! Everyone else is bidding on it ! The price is low for such a valuable item ! I can get a great deal ! If this is what you're thinking as you come upon that "museum quality" native item .... then back away from your screen and take a deep breath. It may not be what you think it is !!

Yes there are good native made art items out there, but I'm here to tell you about the BAD ONES ! The ones that have nothing to with the First Nations of the pacific Northwest Coast. I can't post pictures because the ones I've gathered all belong to other eBay sellers. So I'll try to be brief.

Tips:

BUY A BOOK. The vast majority of FAKE ( Indonesian carvings that look like NWC items ) Northwest Coast carvings are produced from photos found in a small number of fine illustrated books on the artwork. You'll also get a better understanding of what the work should really look like .

GOOGLE IT, or ASK dot COM it : Don't have a book ! There are enough images of real works on the web that a little research will go a long way to helping you decide if what you want to bid on is legit.

CHECK OUT THE SELLER : I know this goes for everything on eBay , but it goes DOUBLE here ! Look for what they've sold in the past, check feedback and read the listings carefully. There are always exceptions but it's important to be aware of where the items coming from. ( Note: Private auctions and private sellers deprive you of important decision making information ! )

THINGS TO LOOK FOR...THAT YOU DON"T WANT TO SEE ! :

MASKS: The back of the carving is painted black , or stained a dark color. Little metal hooks to hang the item. The wood is full of little fine lines or that come through the paint on the front or on a clear sanded back. Sloppy painting with colors that are not used on traditional works. Painting that's been distressed to make a work look old. Designs either carved or painted that can't be found on authentic works.The same mask being sold by a different seller 3 weeks later. Or for that matter 3 days later.

RATTLES: That same Indonesian wood with the little fine lines all over it. The distressed paint. One color dark staining.  Old Raven rattles and Oystercatcher rattles being sold for low or no reserves. Large salmon rattles with open slits down the sides. Large sizes that don't correspond to known works. Sun rattles painted red with long cord wrapped handles or the same unpainted ones with black painted hair down the back.

TOTEM POLES: More than 4 different colors.Painted lines around the eyes. The same Indonesian wood. Poles where the carving and base are one piece. Small bubbles in the carving. These are castings and not wood.( Note: Poles are the easiest to spot because of the many legitimate dealers selling Indonesian copies on ebay )

ARGILLITE: The carving and base are one piece. The carved lines are rounded as if a drill was used or the item is a casting. Any wording impressed into the item rather than being engraved. The word BOMA, or pearlite. Little red and white stickers on the bottom making it look like it comes from some important old collection. 

While I know that this is not a complete list of everything to do and look for to protect ones self against buying a fake article of Northwest Coast Indian Art , I felt the need to put something out there in an effort to stem the tide of non authentic works being bought up on eBay by unsuspecting buyers . I've seen too many fake items being sold as real old Indian works , selling for hundreds and even thousands of dollars to good folk who have been misled by accident or on purpose. As a dealer and collector of Northwest Coast First Nations art work I hold these artists , their culture and their history, in high regard .                                                As a member of the eBay community I hold the fair and upstanding principals of doing business in an honest fashion to the same high regard and hope that in some small way this guide will be of use to those that walk the same path.

Komokwa