Have you bought indigenous art in Ketchikan?

[K32682]

Might want to check the name on the bottom. You may have bought a fake. 

 

https://www.theglobeandmail.com/world/article-alaska-philippines-made-indigenous-art/

 

"The stone carving depicted a bear grasping a fish in its mouth, its supposed authenticity sealed with the engraved name of its Tlingit artist, Kilit. It was sold at a shop in Ketchikan that catered to the millions of cruise ship tourists who pass through this coastal town eager to bring home a piece of coastal Alaska. The price: US$3,200.

 

But Kilit did not exist, and the carving did not originate in Alaska. It was made in the Philippines, as part of a sophisticated operation that, for many years, stocked two shops in Ketchikan with humpbacks, bears, dolphins and eagles sculpted 10,000 kilometres away."

 

 

[Essiesmom]

That link has a paywall.  EM

[navybankerteacher]

Isn’t it one of the basic cruise traditions - to come home with authentic “souvenirs” of places which were made thousands of miles away?

[Essiesmom]

Many, many years ago when I was in grade school, it was popular to have a penpal in a foreign country.  I acquired one who lived in Japan.  He/she sent me a box of traditional Japanese things.  I wanted to return the gesture,  but back in the 1950’s it was nearly impossible to find small item that represented American culture that were not ‘made in Japan’.  EM

[K32682]

13 minutes ago, Essiesmom said:

Many, many years ago when I was in grade school, it was popular to have a penpal in a foreign country.  I acquired one who lived in Japan.  He/she sent me a box of traditional Japanese things.  I wanted to return the gesture,  but back in the 1950’s it was nearly impossible to find small item that represented American culture that were not ‘made in Japan’.  EM

 

It's one thing if you know what you are buying is made elsewhere. No doubt there are cruisers in for a shock should they try and sell what they believed was genuine indigenous art from the Arctic and for which they paid full price. 

[clo]

2 hours ago, Essiesmom said:

Many, many years ago when I was in grade school, it was popular to have a penpal in a foreign country.  I acquired one who lived in Japan.  He/she sent me a box of traditional Japanese things.  I wanted to return the gesture,  but back in the 1950’s it was nearly impossible to find small item that represented American culture that were not ‘made in Japan’.  EM

We did a Norwegian coastal cruise a few years ago. I considered getting a couple of little things for the grandkids but everyone was made in China.

[mnocket]

Yeah, I recently returned from a cruise along the Amazon river.  Took an excursion to a "traditional native village".  While there weren't any markings, I'm sure all of the things they were selling were made in China, Japan, etc.   The only time you can be sure that an item is as represented is if you actually see someone sitting there making them.  This used to be common, but not so much anymore☹️

[Aquahound]

10 hours ago, navybankerteacher said:

Isn’t it one of the basic cruise traditions - to come home with authentic “souvenirs” of places which were made thousands of miles away?

 

...and don't forget, buy those "souvenirs" in the manufactured port area that oddly is only open and populated when cruise ships are present and from a shop owner who lives in California during the winter.  

[lenquixote66]

11 hours ago, Essiesmom said:

Many, many years ago when I was in grade school, it was popular to have a penpal in a foreign country.  I acquired one who lived in Japan.  He/she sent me a box of traditional Japanese things.  I wanted to return the gesture,  but back in the 1950’s it was nearly impossible to find small item that represented American culture that were not ‘made in Japan’.  EM

I had a pen pal in the early 50’s from Sweden.We never exchanged gifts ,just conversations.

[jsn55]

18 hours ago, K32682 said:

Might want to check the name on the bottom. You may have bought a fake. 

 

https://www.theglobeandmail.com/world/article-alaska-philippines-made-indigenous-art/

 

"The stone carving depicted a bear grasping a fish in its mouth, its supposed authenticity sealed with the engraved name of its Tlingit artist, Kilit. It was sold at a shop in Ketchikan that catered to the millions of cruise ship tourists who pass through this coastal town eager to bring home a piece of coastal Alaska. The price: US$3,200.

 

But Kilit did not exist, and the carving did not originate in Alaska. It was made in the Philippines, as part of a sophisticated operation that, for many years, stocked two shops in Ketchikan with humpbacks, bears, dolphins and eagles sculpted 10,000 kilometres away."

 

 

$3200 for a piece of 'art' while on a cruise?  Who would do that????

[capriccio]

4 hours ago, jsn55 said:

$3200 for a piece of 'art' while on a cruise?  Who would do that????

 

Maybe the same people who buy pieces at art auctions on cruise ships? 

[Haqdeluxe]

2 minutes ago, capriccio said:

 

Maybe the same people who buy pieces at art auctions on cruise ships? 

Crazy right? 

Now scouping up that certified authentic $30K Rolex Oyster Presidential with no box or papers from that shady guy back on a dark side street for $5000... there is the vacation deal you don't pass up! 🤣

[jollyjones]

This is nothing new.

 

While in Skagway on a cruise many years ago, I bought a piece of polished agate in the Alaska shop, which advertised that all their goods were locally made.

It had a Made in Alaska sticker on it but when I peeled the sticker off after I got home (I don't like stickers) hidden underneath was a Made in Brazil sticker.

 

Ah well, I wrote it off to experience - it was inexpensive and at least it wasn't Made in China - no, it didn't have a concealed third sticker!

 

I still have it, it is an attractive paper weight, but I look at it every day and it reminds me ... 

 

Edited April 2 by jollyjones

[K32682]

The people who would do that are cruisers who know nothing about what they are buying and fail to realize that when they step off the big boat they are marks, walking ATM machines, who are there to be fleeced in every possibly manner. You don't find many reputable art dealers at dockside. Caveat emptor. 

[clo]

9 hours ago, jsn55 said:

$3200 for a piece of 'art' while on a cruise?  Who would do that????

I wish whoever would would speak up.

 

We've bought loads of stuff when traveling and (running my mind's eye around the house) none of them had any REAL value. I love them as much or more than the things that DO have value but no....

[jsn55]

On 4/2/2024 at 9:51 AM, clo said:

I wish whoever would would speak up.

 

We've bought loads of stuff when traveling and (running my mind's eye around the house) none of them had any REAL value. I love them as much or more than the things that DO have value but no....

So true!  I just bought an 6euro metal tray in Paris, it will make me happy to look at it for the rest of my life.  But I will spend money for jewelry while travelling ... not thousands but occasionally several hundred.  Every time I wear my little bauble I remember everything about the purchase.  

[Host Jazzbeau]

On 4/1/2024 at 8:44 AM, Essiesmom said:

That link has a paywall.  EM

And Cruise Critic respects copyrights.

[clo]

On 4/1/2024 at 5:55 AM, navybankerteacher said:

cruise traditions

Yep. Maybe because they're not anywhere long enough to search out authentic things. Whereas most of our travel over the years has been DIY and escorted land tours. Here's one. A scarf that we bought for a few dollars outside a metro station in Rio de Janeiro.

 

[clo]

2 hours ago, Host Jazzbeau said:

And Cruise Critic respects copyrights.

I didn't realize that newspapers were copyrighted, rather that some papers block access. Good to know. I know the LA Times is just the worst.

[Mary229]

On 4/2/2024 at 11:51 AM, clo said:

I wish whoever would would speak up.

 

We've bought loads of stuff when traveling and (running my mind's eye around the house) none of them had any REAL value. I love them as much or more than the things that DO have value but no....

I have bought expensive things while cruising but strictly collectibles where  I already have a great deal of knowledge.  It makes no difference if I find it at home or while traveling.    Like your scarf I will also buy things I like wherever I find them, it doesn’t make any difference if someone lied to me 

Edited April 18 by Mary229