At Heritage Art Auction’s pre-Columbian sale – nearly 200 works – all with ZERO Provenance

Lot 54316. A LARGE VERAGUAS GOLD PENDANT REPRESENTING AN EAGLE. c. 900 – 1200 AD
Perhaps a harpy eagle with its wings extended and its feet posed as if for landing. The eagle carries a small animal in its beak. Weight: 109 grams. Height: 4 inches
Estimate: $25,000 – $35,000.

Heritage Auction’s May 10, 2013 American Indian, Pre-Columbian & Tribal Art Signature Auction in Dallas features nearly 200 pre-Columbian with ZERO listed provenance on either the company’s Web site of the pdf version of the print catalogue.  Really? By contrast, there are numerous works in the American Indian and Tribal sections that have a dated provenance. What are we to conclude from this?

Lot 54277. A LARGE QUIMBAYA GOLD PENDANT REPRESENTING A COMPOSITE HUMAN/ANIMAL CREATURE WITH TWO HEADS c. 1200 – 1400 AD
His long tail forms an arch over his head. Six monkeys climb on the arch. Two small composite creatures cling to the waist of the main character. Weight: 159 grams. Height: 5 inches.
Estimate: $25,000 – $35,000.