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Fri 10 Sep, 2004 01:53 pm
Aloha. My oldest son is in the military stationed in Afghanistan, and he has told me about some of the treasures for sale at the different Afghani markets... How likely do you think that swords and statues are real? Do you think they are stolen and illegal? Or would they be legitimately for sale there? He's buying swords and knives, and sickles and scythes, an ancient device made to cut off thumbs... He has also mentioned statues that the sellers claim are from temples which are now destroyed that predate mosques (He wasn't sure what kind of temples these are...) but those are exorbitantly priced, so he hasn't bought any statuary. I told him I would like a relief for Christmas, if he sees one (but is this legal to ship back to the US?) and he said he'd look for one he thinks I'd like... His most recent purchase is an old oil lamp that looks really cool (ornate and old) that he got for $35 (not sure if that was American money or Afghan money.) What do you think something like that is worth outside of Afghanistan?
Curious princesses want to know... TIA, PP
Oh, he also bought a brass plate with a scene etched on it that looks indian, a woman serving a man w/a beard. It's painted, then finished. There is a hook on the back to hang it up, no signiture or finishing mark on the piece that I see...