As we enter the 21st Century the world grows smaller and communication channels open while borders simultaneously close. Traditional ways of life are ending and many of the world's minority and ethnic cultures are unprepared for life in the new millennium. In accepting superior aspects of the modern world such as health and education advances and women's rights, communities are often forced to accept the less desirable aspects, in particular the three great horrors of the modern world: begging, prostitution and servitude to warlords. By maintaining traditional means of handicraft, jewellery and textile production and selling directly to the western world via dealers like us, tribal communities, particularly women (the customary custodians of family and tribal cultural tradition) are empowered financially and can make informed decisions about which parts of the West they wish to incorporate and which they wish to reject. The other great benefit of maintaining traditional methods of handicraft and textile manufacture is that these communities have for the most part evolved to live in synchronicity and harmony with their environment. As a result environmental sustainability and stability is maintained without the imposition of elaborate and expensive management plans by external authorities (link to: case study Chai cups).
In line with this philosophy there must be a simultaneous recognition by the West that products made in this manner will cost more, will not necessarily be made to exactly fit western tastes and homes, and will be rarer than items mass produced in Chinese factories and Asian sweatshops. The beauty of these items lies in their individuality, their irregularities and their imperfections. When you hold them in your hands or gaze upon them in your home you are engaging in a form of time travel. The sense of peace, harmony and wellbeing that they bestow cannot easily be described. By supporting this philosophy we can all actively help to maintain the diversity of our planet and ensure that the unique nature of these communities and their handicrafts will endure into the next millennium.
These are our products and this is our philosophy.
Consider for example the life of a French 18th century ormolu occasional table and that of a Tekke Turkoman sideboard. The French antique has likely spent its life being coddled and maintained in optimum environmental conditions, loving repaired by master craftsmen when necessary and used only in the most sparing of senses, perhaps to support a clock or ornament. Its pedigree is known as is its history of ownership. In comparison the tribal piece cannot easily be aged. It has had a hard life with a family of nomads, exposed to a harsh prairieland environment during the family's annual migration and housed within a smoke-filled yurt at other times. It is handed down from generation to generation within the family because wood is rare in this part of the world; repairs are always carried out in the home. Decoration in the form of carving and paint may be added at various times according to the prevailing taste and modifications carried out as the family grows in size and their needs change. Eventually the family gives up it's nomadic lifestyle and settles in a town, the sideboard is sold to help pay for the construction of a permanent home and it falls into the hands of a dealer. It's actually history can only be guessed and its age only estimated. To the collector it is as valuable as the French table. However, without provenance the piece cannot technically be considered an antique.
The same applies to textiles. Because of wear and tear textiles naturally undergo a cloth may be considered quite old at the age of twenty or thirty years. A textile in perfect condition is ideal, but old pieces that have been well loved and used may bring a deeper pleasure to the collector.
When buying ethnographic antiques or vintage pieces for yourself, prepare by learning and verifying as much information as you can. Visit museums and exhibitions, read relevant publications, articles and documents, and examine in person as many pieces as possible via dealers and private collectors. This will help you to develop your own knowledge base and range of experience. Don't be afraid to ask questions - dealers, curators and collectors are usually happy to share their hard-won information and knowledge. Watch the Antique Roadshow for a fascinating overview of antique and curio collecting and haunt auction houses on viewing days when they are auctioning relevant collections (Buyer Beware: do not bid for items until you feel you have the expertise to make an informed bid!). If you do your homework, collecting antiques and tribal artifacts can be an extremely rewarding experience. Remember, a piece is worth whatever someone is willing to pay for it whether it is an exquisitely carved bronze 17th century Italian statue, or a crudely fashioned wood 20th century Nepalese ancestral figure. Each has been equally cherished by their former makers and owners and each has a place in our modern world.
Regarding the collectability of specific kinds of objects and the creation of a collection, the first thing to remember is that not every piece in your collection need be old. By the very act of "collecting", you are removing pieces from the cycle of creation, use and destruction, and preserving them for future generations to enjoy and admire. The age of the piece is often immaterial unless you are collecting within a specific period or time frame. Keep notes on where and when you bought an item and from whom, as well as any information about the piece available at the time of purchase. This information is known as the "provenance" of an item and will greatly increase your enjoyment of the collection and its future value.
When collecting, choose something that you like. There is no point in collecting teaspoons if you have no particular feeling for them. If your grandmother leaves you her prize assortment of post-industrial communist block ceramic pigs that leaves you feeling cold, it is better to sell it off to someone who does want it and use the money to fund a start-up collection of something you really like.
Finally, any collection is worth more as a collection. This may sound simplistic, however it is a basic tenant of collecting. Do not be tempted to sell off individual pieces, or at least consider selling in sets if you do.
The best place for purchasing, collecting and learning about ethnographic and tribal art and artifacts is through a gallery or store that specializes in such objects. With experience, real finds can be made at auctions and from garage and boot sales or privately sold items through newspapers or classified ads, but these are pleasures better left to the experienced. Museums are excellent resources for learning about art and increasing your appreciation and experience levels, as are books of al kinds. Destination traveling is another potentially rewarding source of original antiques, but remember that the world is full of fake artifacts and dishonest rug salesmen, and you also have to get the piece home and through Customs at the end of the day. Be prepared to make mistakes and remember if you love something, then its worth whatever you paid for it.