Dating Tibetan art

In the past twelve years, international trade in Tibetan art has surged, driven by high buyer demand and limited supply, resulting in soaring prices that align with the notion: “The older the piece, the higher the price.” To assess the academic justification for these price trends and promote transparency, the Lempertz Auction House in Cologne, Germany, convened nine leading European scholars to discuss research methods and challenges in dating Tibetan art. This event took place on November 17-18, 2001, at the Cologne Museum for East Asian Art and Lempertz Auction House. The publication features revised papers from seven of the nine speakers, showcasing diverse perspectives on dating Tibetan art that reflect the freedom of academic inquiry. Loden Sherap Dagyab Rinpoche critiques the universal applicability of Western art interpretations, while Roger Goepper defends his dating of Sumtsek in Alchi against Lionel Fournier's skepticism, supported by new arguments. Heather Stoddard contextualizes stylistic developments in West-Tibetan art through historical and political lenses. Martin Brauen’s examination of a Swiss court case prompted David Jackson to evaluate his dating methodology. Jane Casey Singer highlights the complexities of establishing absolute dating for artworks. The symposium aimed to foster open dialogue, inviting further commentary on the views expressed in this publication.