Mexico requests cancellation of sale of pre-Hispanic objects in Paris

The auction of pre-Hispanic objects which must be held this Tuesday in Paris at Christie's is contested by Mexico.

AFP - JEAN-PIERRE MULLER

Text by: RFI Follow

3 min

Mexico requests the cancellation of the auction which is to be held this Tuesday, February 9 in Paris at Christie's.

33 pre-Hispanic pieces will be presented there which the country claims to be returned, arguing that their place is in Mexico and not in an auction room.

A claim which is only the latest episode of a Mexican crusade against the commercialization of its cultural heritage scattered around the world.

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With our correspondent in Mexico, 

Alix Hardy

Mexico considers that the parts which left its territory were necessarily stolen.

Opposite, France gives the owner the benefit of the doubt.

In France, in the absence of evidence to the contrary, we assume that these objects were obtained legally,"

 comments Daniel Salinas, Mexican historian and archaeologist.

It should be the other way around.

The buyer should have to prove it.

Where is the export permit?

Which would of course be impossible since these papers do not exist. 

"

Mexico also asserts, without being able to examine them, that some of the most prominent works are not original pieces.

Mexico regularly makes these kinds of statements, especially to discredit sales

," comments an archaeologist.

But whether they are real or fake these pieces ultimately pose the same problem: by selling at high prices, they contribute to the art market, which fuels the demand for new pieces and encourages archaeological looting to meet this demand. 

"

If the Mexican claims have never had a real impact on the legal level, they help to make buyers and the general public aware of the contradictions of the ancient art market.

 In Mexico we are already aware of the lack of ethics in this market, but we have to explain internationally why it is so problematic.

One of the possible solutions would therefore be to bet on a turnaround in public opinion like what happened with safaris: for a long time, it was considered very glamorous to hunt elephants in Africa and to have their own. trophy above the fireplace.

But right now it's condemned by society.

 "

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  • Mexico

  • Patrimony

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