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The Double-Faced Ivory: A 16th Century Masterpiece in a Modern Inheritance
This blog post was originally written for a client who recently inherited family antiquities, including several memento mori artworks she...
Philippe Smolarski
4 days ago4 min read
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A Mysterious Encounter with Outsider Art
Yesterday at Moon Rabbit Art, I received an intriguing phone call. The woman on the other end spoke in hushed tones about "a private...
Philippe Smolarski
Apr 293 min read
16 views
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The Twenty-Euro "Ashtray"
At Moon Rabbit Art, our Paris appraisal office often receives messages from people who are curious about the value of items they’ve found...
Philippe Smolarski
Apr 232 min read
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Beyond the legend of Dayazhai porcelain: Between myth and authenticity
Last Friday, Moon Rabbit Art received an email from a person who wanted an in-house appraisal for some imperial porcelain from the late...
Philippe Smolarski
Apr 86 min read
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Emergency Forgery: The Incredible Survival Story of a Professor on the Road
Dearest art enthusiasts and connoisseurs of peculiar stories! At Moon Rabbit Art, we often say that every piece tells a story – but...
Philippe Smolarski
Mar 224 min read
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The Influence of Art on Emotions in Times of Crisis
This time, I'm stepping away from my usual role at Moon-Rabbit-Art. No valuations today, no expertise reports—just a personal reflection...
Philippe Smolarski
Mar 164 min read
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The Mad Monk's Messages: How an Ordinary Inheritance Revealed an Extraordinary Secret
There are days when I tell myself I should write a book about the strange objects people ask me to authenticate. Then I remember that no...
Philippe Smolarski
Mar 66 min read
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The Curious Case of the Elimar Portrait: A Van Gogh Dream
I've seen it all. From forged Rembrandts that look like they were painted by a toddler with a crayon to "lost" Da Vinci drawings...
Philippe Smolarski
Feb 162 min read
18 views
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Between Heaven and Hell: The Intriguing Market of Spiritual and Esoteric Collectibles;
Allow me to share yet another curious tale from the world of Moon Rabbit Art Online Appraisal. This week, instead of the usual parade of...
Philippe Smolarski
Feb 132 min read
15 views
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Memories from an Apartment in Paris's 7th Arrondissement
Last week, I got a call from a gentleman whose voice had that calm, authoritative tone that only comes with age and experience. He...
Philippe Smolarski
Feb 83 min read
8 views
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Effective Strategies for Pricing Art and Antiques: A Guide from the Trenches
Last week, I found myself in a situation that perfectly illustrates one of the most challenging aspects of the art and antiques market....
Philippe Smolarski
Feb 33 min read
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Remembering the Art Collectors Lost to the Holocaust: A Legacy of Looted Art
As we commemorate the 80th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz in 2025, I wish to turn our attention to one of the Holocaust's...
Philippe Smolarski
Jan 293 min read
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A Passion Rekindled: How a Family’s Ukiyo-e Collection Bridged Generations
Last Thursday morning, I received a phone call from a gentleman in Lyon. A man working in IT, he explained that he had inherited a...
Philippe Smolarski
Jan 244 min read
16 views
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The Moon Rabbit Art Guide to Europe’s Best Flea Markets for Antique Lovers
Picture this: you’re standing in a dusty stall, holding a tarnished silver teapot that *might* be a 19th-century heirloom or *might* be a...
Philippe Smolarski
Jan 235 min read
13 views
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When the flames devour art: the sad toll of the Los Angeles fires for collectors and artists
These past few days, my heart has been heavy as I’ve learned about the devastation caused by the wildfires that have swept through Los...
Philippe Smolarski
Jan 152 min read
33 views
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The Case of the Falcon, An Appraisal Story
Right, buckle up, because this appraisal was one for the books (or maybe for a dusty VHS tape, given the circumstances). Moon Rabbit Art,...
Philippe Smolarski
Jan 133 min read
4 views
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The Psychology of Collecting: Why We're Drawn to Art and Antiques
Inside us all, there's a deep-seated urge to collect. Whether it's children picking up seashells on the shore or sophisticated art...
Philippe Smolarski
Jan 114 min read
39 views
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When a Rainy Day at the Flea Market Leads to Treasure
Sometimes the most extraordinary discoveries start with a simple email. Last week, Sarah sent us a few photos of what looked like an...
Philippe Smolarski
Jan 62 min read
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Is That Thing Worth Something? Your 2025 Treasure Hunt Begins
Happy 2025, clutter connoisseurs! Forget the kale and the gym – this year, embark on a real adventure: unearthing the hidden riches...
Philippe Smolarski
Dec 30, 20242 min read
4 views
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The Fake Provenance Problem, A Personal Reflection
I really can’t seem to go a month without coming face to face with a fake provenance. Only a couple of weeks ago one Chinese dealer...
Philippe Smolarski
Dec 21, 20246 min read
12 views
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