Beware the thieves: Plans of Art Asia in Antwerp, Belgium

During the recently held Tribal Art Fair (October 28 – 31) in the former church De Duif in Amsterdam the Belgian art-dealers couple Robrecht Lambin and Diane De Clerck of Art Asia (address: 332, Gitschotellei, Antwerp) offered quite a number of objects from Mongolia and possibly some from Tibet. Apart from Buddha heads, pieces of ritual textile, bells and others, they offered a thighbone of a probably 18 years old woman, partially covered with silver (€ 900). It was once used as a flute.

Mr. Lambin - he and his wife are former teachers who have changed their hobby into business - said he spends ‘yearly eight months’ in Ulan Bataar and surroundings ‘to collect new objects. As it is not permitted to export any of these objects, I always pay bribes.’ 

Mr. Lambin intends to travel to Inner Mongolia next year to collect lotus crosses and other Nestorian objects. In the 7th century Christians went to China, where they portrayed their saints as bodhisattvas and decorated their crosses with lotus flowers and dragonheads. ‘These stone objects are heavy, so I will not be able to work on my own’, said Lambin. ‘Moreover, the Beijing authorities often create troubles.’ 

The authorities in both Mongolia and China have strict policies to limit the smuggling of their precious cultural heritage. They consider art dealers as Robrecht Lambin and Diane De Clerck as ‘thieves’ but are not always effective in their measures against them.

(name of writer known to moderator Cpprot.net mailinglist)

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