In the US, the couple would be told to kick sand. Same for the people of Gabon unless it could be shown it was stolen and not freely given away or sold.
Is france different about purchasing things second hand?
The buyer was a professional, and was by law required to give the seller all information they had at their disposal. If they can’t prove they didn’t know the real value of the mask, they will have to either restitute the mask to the seller or give them a significant share of the final auction price.
It wasn’t an art dealer or antiques dealer, though. It was a guy who had a 2nd hand store. There’s no reason to think he was any sort of professional in 150 year old masks that barely a dozen exist of.
In the US, the couple would be told to kick sand. Same for the people of Gabon unless it could be shown it was stolen and not freely given away or sold.
Is france different about purchasing things second hand?
The buyer was a professional, and was by law required to give the seller all information they had at their disposal. If they can’t prove they didn’t know the real value of the mask, they will have to either restitute the mask to the seller or give them a significant share of the final auction price.
It wasn’t an art dealer or antiques dealer, though. It was a guy who had a 2nd hand store. There’s no reason to think he was any sort of professional in 150 year old masks that barely a dozen exist of.