Authenticity of Eskimo Inuit Art & Native Indian Art

Both Inuit Eskimo art and Native American art have gained international recognition as valuable art forms over past few decades. However, rising popularity of both Inuit Eskimo art and Native American art has resulted in increased proliferation of imitations and mass-produced reproductions of original Native arts. Some obvious fakes are made in Asia from molds where finished pieces are forms of plastic, resin or ceramic.

Other fakes are actually made of cast stone simulating actual Inuit Eskimo art carvings and wood for imitation Native American carvings. These fakes, which are harder to distinguish from authentic artwork, are often hand carved reproductions of an original piece of artwork. Workshops have illegally reproduced hundreds of copies without artisan’s permission. The counterfeiting companies would then attach some type of tag that claims fake pieces were influenced by aboriginal artisans and even background information on Native designs used in artwork. Some even go as far as adding in Inuit syllabics on bottom of fake Inuit Eskimo art carvings.

These are very deceptive tactics on their part since they give consumers impression that imitations are authentic and income producing for aboriginal communities.

Fakes and imitations have lowered image of authentic Inuit Eskimo art and Native American art. Sales of genuine aboriginal artwork have declined which in turn have deprived aboriginal artisans of income. The argument against these claims is that not every consumer can afford to buy authentic Inuit Eskimo art or Native American art so souvenir level reproductions legitimately meet this part of market. The imitations, which are usually low priced, enable students visiting Canada for example, to bring home a Canadian souvenir without breaking their travel budget. This claim would have more support from Native communities if aboriginal artisans were paid a fair royalty as income for each imitation and reproduction piece sold. However, this is seldom case since most of time, no royalties are paid at all.

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