Why Due Diligence Matters When Buying a Murakami Print

 

The market for Takashi Murakami prints has grown considerably, giving collectors access to works through established galleries, specialist dealers, auction houses and online marketplaces around the world. This increased accessibility also means that collectors need to take care when assessing the authenticity, provenance, condition and sourcing of an artwork before purchasing it. The problem of counterfeit and forged artworks is recognized internationally. Fake works can enter the legitimate art market, and the growth of online commerce has created additional challenges for collectors seeking to establish the authenticity and provenance of artworks.Some reproductions can also be surprisingly convincing. Packaging, labels, edition numbers, embossed marks and accompanying paperwork may all appear professional.The images accompanying this article provide examples of materials and works that have been brought to our attention as questionable or potentially counterfeit Murakami prints. They are included solely to illustrate the types of warning signs collectors should be aware of. They should not be interpreted as a definitive authentication determination of any particular artwork unless independently examined by an appropriate specialist.

 

A Box, Label or Document Does Not Necessarily Establish Authenticity

 

1. Collectors should be particularly careful when an artwork is accompanied by documentation that appears to confirm its authenticity.

2. A document supplied by a seller is not necessarily an official Certificate of Authenticity, and the presence of a box, label, edition number or embossed mark should not, by itself, be regarded as conclusive evidence that an artwork is genuine.

3. Authenticity should be considered in the context of the artwork as a whole, including its physical characteristics, edition information, provenance, sourcing and available supporting information.

4. The attached examples demonstrate why collectors should look carefully at the artwork itself rather than assuming that professional-looking packaging or paperwork guarantees authenticity.

    

The Real Issue May Arise When You Try to Resell the Artwork

 

A buyer may be completely satisfied with an artwork when it is purchased and displayed at home.

 

However, the situation can become considerably more complicated later if the owner decides to consign the work to an auction house, sell it through a professional dealer, obtain an insurance valuation, or pass it on to another collector. Professional auction houses and dealers have their own procedures for evaluating artworks before accepting them for sale. The information and evidence they consider may include provenance, specialist opinion, physical examination and other relevant information. Authenticity is the ultimate currency in the art world. If a piece has an unclear history, major dealers and auction experts may reject it to protect their reputations. This is why collectors should consider not only whether they like an artwork and its purchase price, but also whether the work has credible sourcing and sufficient information to support its future marketability. A print that appears to be an attractive bargain today may become considerably more difficult to sell if questions concerning authenticity arise later.

 

Provenance Matters

 

Provenance refers broadly to the documented history of an artwork’s ownership and can be an important component of art-market research. For collectors, the question should therefore not simply be:

 “Does this print look genuine?”

It should also be:

 “Can I understand where this artwork came from and why I should have confidence in its authenticity?”

The stronger the provenance and sourcing information, the easier it can be for a future buyer, dealer or auction house to evaluate the work.

The Attached Examples

 

The photographs accompanying this article show examples of materials that have raised concerns regarding authenticity. They include examples of:

• Imitation or reproduction packaging

• Embossed marks that appear intended to resemble genuine presentation

• Labels and printed materials

• Documentation presented in connection with the works

• Other physical details that may give a reproduction the appearance of an authentic edition

 

These images are provided as examples of potential warning signs, rather than as a definitive statement regarding the authenticity of any particular work shown. Collectors should understand that a reproduction can involve more than simply copying the image itself. Presentation materials and supporting paperwork may also be reproduced. Consequently, collectors should assess the complete history and characteristics of an artwork rather than relying on one apparently reassuring feature.

 

Why Buying From an Established Japanese Gallery Can Provide Additional Accountability

 

We are an established Japanese limited company specializing in the sale and export of contemporary Japanese art, with particular expertise in Takashi Murakami works. We hold a Japanese License issued by the relevant Public Safety Commission. Our license identifies us as a properly licensed Japanese secondhand-goods dealer operating within the applicable regulatory framework. Our license is not a government authentication certificate for any individual artwork. Rather, it demonstrates that we operate as an identifiable and licensed Japanese business. We source artworks through reputable and established channels and take authenticity seriously. As an established limited company, we believe accountability and responsible sourcing are important elements of professional art dealing.

 

Consider Who You Are Buying From

 

When purchasing an artwork online, collectors should consider the experience, reputation and accountability of the seller as carefully as they consider the artwork itself. Before purchasing, collectors should consider:

• Is the seller an identifiable and established business?

• Does the seller have the appropriate registration or license where required?

• Does the seller have experience dealing with the artist and the relevant market?

• Can the seller explain the provenance and sourcing of the artwork?

• Is the edition information consistent with the artwork?

• What responsibility does the seller accept regarding the description and authenticity of the artwork?

• Will the seller remain contactable and accountable after the transaction?

 

These considerations are particularly important when purchasing valuable edition works.

 

Online Marketplaces Require Additional Due Diligence

 

Online marketplaces have made collecting more accessible and provide valuable opportunities for buyers and sellers. However, collectors should understand the distinction between a marketplace providing a platform and the individual seller offering a particular artwork. The presence of an artwork on an online platform does not necessarily mean that the individual artwork has undergone independent specialist authentication. This does not mean that online marketplaces are inherently unsafe. Many international major platforms have established measures to address counterfeit goods. The important point for collectors is to conduct their own due diligence concerning the particular artwork and seller. Buying from an overseas gallery or dealer is not inherently problematic. There are many highly reputable international galleries and dealers. The important consideration is whether the seller is identifiable, established, experienced in the relevant market and prepared to stand behind the transaction.

 

1. Don’t Let the Price Be the Only Consideration

2. An unusually attractive price can be tempting.

3. However, collectors should consider why the price differs from comparable examples and whether the artwork has sufficient provenance, sourcing information and supporting evidence.

4. A significant price difference should therefore be treated as something to investigate rather than automatically as an opportunity.

5. The potential saving should always be considered against the potential cost and difficulty of resolving an authenticity question later.

6. A bargain is only a bargain if you know what you are buying.

    

Authentication Can Be Complicated

 

Establishing the authenticity of an artwork can require specialist knowledge and, depending on the circumstances, examination of the physical work, comparison with known examples, provenance research and review of available information.For this reason, collectors should not assume that one characteristic such as an edition number, signature, box, label or accompanying document is sufficient to establish authenticity. If questions arise after a purchase has been completed, obtaining professional advice may involve additional time and expense. For collectors, the best approach is therefore to conduct appropriate due diligence before completing the transaction.

 

Why Specialist Experience Matters

 

Takashi Murakami’s works are produced in a variety of editions and formats, and collectors should be familiar with the particular characteristics of the work they are considering. A specialist dealer who regularly handles Murakami works can provide useful market knowledge and help collectors understand differences between editions, production formats, presentation, sourcing and market values. This does not mean that a dealer’s status alone replaces independent authentication or due diligence. Rather, an experienced specialist provides the collector with a knowledgeable professional with whom they can discuss the artwork before making a purchase.

 

Our Approach

 

• We specialize in Takashi Murakami works and Japanese contemporary art, including the sale and international export of artworks from Japan.

• As an established Japanese limited company holding license, we believe that transparency, accountability and responsible sourcing are fundamental.

• We also understand that collectors may eventually wish to sell, consign or pass their artworks on to another collector.

• For this reason, we believe it is important to consider authenticity and provenance at the time of purchase rather than only when the artwork is being resold.

• Don’t Risk a Bargain Without Doing Your Due Diligence

• When purchasing a Takashi Murakami print, look beyond the image.

 

Consider:

 

• The artwork.

• The edition.

• The condition.

• The provenance.

• The sourcing.

• The seller.

• And the evidence supporting authenticity.

 

A convincing reproduction may look very similar to an authentic work in an online photograph. Packaging and paperwork can also appear convincing. The attached images provide real-world examples of the types of questionable materials that collectors may encounter, including imitation presentation materials, labels and other details that may give a work the appearance of authenticity. The purpose of these examples is not to make allegations against any particular individual, gallery or platform. Rather, it is to demonstrate why collectors should exercise appropriate caution when purchasing valuable artworks online. The difference between an authentic artwork and a reproduction may only become apparent when the artwork is examined more closely or presented for resale. Before purchasing, make sure you understand what you are buying and who you are buying it from.

 

For collectors considering a Takashi Murakami print, we are available to provide information about available works, and our international export services from Japan. Buy with confidence. Buy from an established specialist. And always do your due diligence.

  

References

Consumer Affairs Agency. (n.d.). Internet shopping troubles. Government of Japan. https://www.caa.go.jp/policies/policy/consumer_policy/caution/internet/trouble/internet.html

INTERPOL. (n.d.-a). Cultural heritage crime. International Criminal Police Organization. https://www.interpol.int/Crimes/Cultural-heritage-crime

INTERPOL. (n.d.-b). Protecting cultural heritage. International Criminal Police Organization. https://www.interpol.int/en/Crimes/Cultural-heritage-crime/Protecting-cultural-heritage

World Intellectual Property Organization. (2023). Practices used by online marketplaces to tackle the trade in counterfeits. WIPO Advisory Committee on Enforcement. https://www.wipo.int/meetings/en/doc_details.jsp?doc_id=62489