The Man Who Invented Aztec Crystal Skulls : The Adventures of Eugène Boban

Eugène Boban began life in humble circumstances in Paris, traveled to the California Gold Rush, and later became a recognized authority on pre-Columbian cultures. He also invented an entire category of archaeological artifact: the Aztec crystal skull. By his own admission, he successfully "palmed off" a number of these crystal skulls on the curators of Europe's leading museums. How could that happen, and who was this man? Detailed are the travels, self-education, and archaeological explorations of Eugène Boban; this book also explores the circumstances that allowed him to sell fakes to museums that would remain undetected for over a century. Contents Illustrations Acknowledgments Authors’ Note Abbreviations Introduction: On the Trail of Crystal Skulls 1 Caveat Emptor 2 Between Old World and New 3 Mexico: Ancient to Modern 4 Mexico at Mid-Century 5 The Emperor’s Antiquarian: A Collection Takes Shape 6 Confronting a Different Paris 7 Marketing a Collection 8 A Premier Collection 9 Narratives of Provenance 10 The Rue du Sommerard Decade 11 Of Fakes and Fakers 12 From Student to Teacher, Dealer to Curator 13 Good Deals and Bad 14 Back in Business 15 Fingerprints on Crystal Skulls 16 Courting the Smithsonian 17 Of Fakes, Forgers, and Frauds 18 “El Tocayo’s” Triumph 19 Later Life 20 Afterlife Epilogue References Index "Eugène Boban began life in humble circumstances in Paris, traveled to the California Gold Rush, and later became a recognized authority on pre-Columbian cultures. He also invented an entire category of archaeological artifact: the Aztec crystal skull. By his own admission, he successfully "palmed off" a number of these crystal skulls on the curators of Europe's leading museums. How could that happen, and who was this man? Detailed are the travels, self-education, and archaeological explorations of Eugène Boban; this book also explores the circumstances that allowed him to sell fakes to museums that would remain undetected for over a century."--Provided by publisher EugEne Boban began life in humble circumstances in Paris, traveled to the California Gold Rush, and later became a recognized authority on pre-Columbian cultures.' He also invented an entire category of archaeological artifact: the Aztec crystal skull. By his own admission, he successfully 'palmed off' a number of these crystal skulls on the curators of Europe's leading museums. How could that happen, and who was this man' Detailed are the travels, self-education, and archaeological explorations of EugEne Boban; this book also explores the circumstances that allowed him to sell fakes to museums that would remain undetected for over a century Detailed are the travels, self-education, and archaeological explorations of Eugene Boban, an expert in the field of pre-Columbian studies and explores the circumstances that allowed him to sell fakes to museums that would remain undetected for over a century.