The rampant sale of counterfeit native art & crafts throughout the USA has hurt this Native American industry deeply. According industry reports, their art forms have allowed them to stay connected to their culture and history and also be a means of livelihood. But the imitation of their work misrepresented as genuine in the market is no short of a personal attack, implying that the impact isn’t just financial.
And it’s not only the artists who face the consequences of fakes or reproductions. The consumers who look for real Native American art and crafts are also the victims. Whenever there’s a prized native art in the market for sale, its imitation comes out at a much lower cost in no time, tricking consumers into buying it.
As a consumer who embraces Native American art, you may want the best for your money when buying American Indian arts and crafts. If so, here are a few ways that can help you identify authentic Native American art and craft, be that Navajo art on a coffee mug or any other:
Price
Almost every prized Native art commands a higher price. However, fraudsters sell imitations misrepresented as originals at a much lower price. If you come across any inexpensive souvenir-type items, avoid buying them. Usually, authentic high-quality Native American crafts are expensive.
Appearance
Authentic native art and crafts have no wavering lines or uneven designs. If the images are blurred or look disoriented, the picture should be clear to you. Let’s say you are looking for Native American coffee mugs. High-quality mugs are well-cut and have a clear and uniform design imprinted on them. Moreover, you can look for the artist’s signature or hallmark to ensure that you are buying an authentic product.
Tip: If you want to ensure that you get an authentic product, always buy it from a reputable dealer who maintains quality and offer a guarantee of authenticity.
Bottom Line
With the market flooded with counterfeit Native American art, you need to lookout for signs that differentiate the authentic art from others.
