What happened: Andrew Crowley attempted to sell counterfeit ancient statues to Sotheby’s, but was caught when the paperwork he provided used printing techniques not available 25 years ago. The court heard he claimed the items were inherited from his grandfather.
Why it matters:
- Prevents the sale of forged artefacts in the high-value art market.
- Protects auction houses and buyers from financial and reputational damage.
MNN Take: Forgery detection often relies on scrutinising documentation and provenance, as in this case where modern printing methods revealed the fraud attempt.
Sources: Guardian UK