This is a book about authentic fakes, admirable forgeries, and imagined representations of tainted reality: things that are less than meet the eye. Through nine questionable cultural treasures, readers meet those who make, sell, and buy fakes, and through these, explore their own views about what's real, what's fake, and why they should care.
Exploring the intriguing journeys of iconic cultural artifacts, this book delves into the dark narratives of theft, smuggling, and illicit sales, ultimately highlighting their return to rightful owners. Accompanied by vibrant full-color photographs, it illuminates the significance of these treasures and the complex histories behind them.
The book highlights the stories of individuals who salvaged invaluable cultural treasures that risked being lost to humanity. While some, like Dr. Assad, pursued noble missions, others were driven by less altruistic motives such as profit, fame, or personal gain. Through these varied motivations, the narrative explores the complex nature of cultural preservation and the ethical dilemmas faced by those involved in rescuing artifacts.
Stolen, Smuggled Sold: On the Hunt for Cultural Treasures tells the dark and compelling stories of iconic cultural objects that were stolen, smuggled or sold, and eventually returned back to their original owner. The book includes full-color photos of the objects.