The Manhattan federal court has charged two antiquities dealers, Erdal Dere, the owner of the Manhattan, based antiquities gallery Fortuna Fine Arts Ltd, and his business partner Faisal Khan, with fraud by using fake provenance records to sell antiquities. The dealers each face two counts of wire fraud, which each carry a maximum prison term of 20 years, and Dere is also charged with aggravated identity theft, which carries a mandatory two years in prison. In 2018, the Manhattan DA’s office seized an ancient Etruscan terracotta vessel, Hare Aryballos (c. 580–560 BC), from Fortuna Fine Arts over concerns about its export license from Italy.
Collecting art is a journey that balances emotion, intuition, and long-term vision. While the art world may sometimes feel overwhelming, approaching it with curiosity and intention can make the process deeply rewarding. Each artwork you choose is not just a purchase but a reflection of your values, curiosity, and relationship to creativity.