Santa Fe in the summer... Item Number: 100101 $0.00

DescriptionWhat could be finer? Well, maybe the Dow Jones Industrial Average not plunging almost 650 points.

This week two large and wonderful Ethnographic Art Shows will be held in Santa Fe, New Mexico. I have written about these in years past and have waxed enthusiastically about what fabulous venues these shows are for finding great examples of ancient art. The largest of the shows is held at the Santa Fe Convention Center and includes over 100 top national dealers who sell everything from Pre-Columbian, Native American African, Old West, Colonial Religious art, to a smattering of Classical Antiquities and a few bad fakes thrown in for good measure. The other show is being held at the Steelyards, and usually involves perhaps half the number of dealers, but usually a very similar mix of items. As a dealer of such finery I should be very excited. As one who has been watching the US economy circling the “bowl,” I must admit I am nervous for my fellow dealers.

In years past, Artemis Gallery has exhibited at one of the shows, but after two years of exhibiting, we made a decision to forego doing shows altogether – it’s just too much work. But naturally, we know most of the dealers and have very good relationships with virtually all of them. But given the uncertainty of the financial markets, I can’t imagine the shows this week will be upbeat. While there is certainly an element of the populace who does not worry about the economy or their stock holdings, the vast majority of folks who collect ancient art are working stiffs with kids in school, mortgages to pay, stocks and 401k plans that are watched with anxious attentiveness. The economy is not healthy, buyers are not upbeat and dealers are worried.

As a collector of ancient art, if you are in the market to buy, do all you can to make your way to Santa Fe this weekend. My guess, you will find very handsome deals and extremely aggressive dealers. Teresa and I will be down there looking for good buys. I hope the other dealers don’t fault me for trying to take advantage of this weak economy. Heck, we have to buy low, to sell low, too!

Happy collecting! And smile, can it really get much worse? That’s rhetorical…

Bob