Tips on Buying Artwork

Buying artwork can be confusing.  Many pieces of art are pricey!  You may be asking yourself  “Why does this cost so much?”  How do I know it is authentic?  How do I know this is quality artwork? Why is spotted seal more expensive than mink?

Much about deciding what is “quality artwork” is up to you – what appeals to you and what do you find beautiful? What types of pieces do you want to collect or give as gifts?  Beyond personal opinion and taste, there are some measurable qualities to consider.  Such as type of fur, hand sewn or machine sewn, manufactured or handmade, time it took to create the piece and how well known the artist is - are a few to start with.

Below is a list of items that may be helpful to you when learning about Native Artwork.  This list is something that I have come up with as a guideline, it is not written in stone and certainly not complete, if you want to add to it, please feel free to email me at floss@polarpeople.com

Authenticity:  When buying Alaska Native artwork, look for the Silver Hand Artist logo. This program’s purpose: “is to promote authentic Alaska Native handicrafts made in the state exclusively by individual Alaska Native artists. The seal indicates that an article on which it appears is hand crafted in Alaska by an Alaska Native artist and that the piece is made wholly or in significant part with natural materials”.  When buying from a Silver Hand Artist, feel free to ask for their registration number and a list of what the Art pieces are made of. For example, when I sell an item that is made of natural materials, I provide my business card which includes my name, contact info, registration number, and a list of the items used in the art piece. 

Click this link for more information on buying artwork from the Federal Trade Commission http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/pubs/consumer/products/pro05.shtm 

Beaver fur:  Usually dark brown with highlights. Comes sheared or un-sheared.  Shearing cuts/shaves the top portion of the long hairs leaving an even, deep, soft layer. Can come in many different colors if dyed. PRICE/Value: Somewhat common but pricey.

Fur seal: (NOT Hudson Seal). Usually black or dark brown. Comes from the fur seal found in the Pribilof Island and St. Paul areas. This marine mammal is not hunted anymore; therefore most fur you see of this type will come from recycled fur coats or pelts.  If it was tanned commercially, the hide would have a US stamp on the hide that lists the contractor who tanned it, such as Fauke.(looks like an upside down arrowhead).  Very plush, full, thick and buttery soft. MMPA applies. PRICE/Value: Very rare and pricey

Hudson seal: (NOT fur seal)  Usually black or dark brown   This is NOT seal fur, it is other fur (musk rat, rabbit, mink, etc) that is dyed and sheared to mimic seal fur. This fur is soft, but not as thick as sheared beaver. PRICE/Value: Common fur, worth slightly more than mink and less than beaver.

Rabbit:  Many natural colors and sometimes dyed. Very common, not expensive.  There are different types of rabbit – the most plush is Arctic or Snowshoe Rabbit, its fur is very thick, soft.  PRICE/Worth: Most items will be priced less than mink, usually the cost of the art piece will be determined not on the rabbit fur but also on the quality and time spent on the piece.

Mink: Many natural colors and sometimes dyed and/or textured. Common fur, very nice, desirable. PRICE/Value: Worth more than rabbit but less than most other furs found in and used in Alaska. Exception:  Sapphire mink: a very plush, soft silver fur, very pricey!

Spotted Seal:  Found in coastal areas of AK, yellowish, brown with dark spots and markings, very coarse. Still hunted, rare, hard to get, beautiful fur, very strong, MMPA applies.  PRICE/Value: Worth more than most other furs.

Sea Otter:  Coastal.  Most dense fur in the world with 500,000 hairs per square inch.  Still hunted, MMPA applies.  Rare, hard to get fur.  Soft, supple, strong, water proof, beautiful fur. PRICE/Value: Worth more than most furs except spotted seal, depending on the art piece.

Polar Bear:  Coastal. Hairs are colorless and hollow but appear white or yellowish. Still hunted, very rare, coarse fur.  Usually used as ruff or décor. PRICE/Value: Usually priced more than spotted seal, very high in value. MMPA applies.