5000 Year Old Jade Alien Figurine For Sale on Ebay

[JardinPrayer]

Only 6 hours left on this auction when I checked it. Wondering what you guys make of this (http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=73465&item=7314440482&rd=1#ebayphotohosting):

[Dee Dee Warren]

I just bought something, I am not tempted by this.

[JardinPrayer]

I'm curious about what TWebbers may have to say about the claim that the Chinese were carving aliens out of jade 5,000 years ago. Could there be another explanation? Or...have they been among us? :egad:

[Sparko]

I think there are some really gullable people on Ebay. The bid is over $1,000!


The statue looks like some Satyr like statue. An Idol. who knows how old it really is? Could be a week old. this is ebay.

[JardinPrayer]

I think there are some really gullable people on Ebay. The bid is over $1,000!


The statue looks like some Satyr like statue. An Idol. who knows how old it really is? Could be a week old. this is ebay.

To that point, the seller does say he deals in ancient jade and all of his pieces come with a certificate of authenticity. He has very good feedback ratings. On the other hand, I'm not sure how one goes about getting a certificate of authenticity on a 5,000 year old piece.

I do like the satyr theory, though.

[Sparko]

Ancient people had just a good imagination as the best hollywood producer ever had. you can find half-man, half-animal creatures in all ancient mythologies. This just looks like one example.

As far as being authentic, I would not take the word of somone on Ebay. Too easy to get fooled. I would want to get the piece independently appraised.

[One Bad Pig]

It's jade. It's probably worth that much new.

[Sparko]

how do you know it really is jade?

[JardinPrayer]

Well, first off, John, I had hoped the thread would have a bit more levity, but since you asked...

The seller is a jade dealer with a documented positive feedback record on Ebay. Ebay is founded and based on the presumtion that people are, essentially, honest, and there have been measures put in place over the years to help buyers and sellers protect themselves. I sell on Ebay every day. I rarely buy, but when I have, I have not had a problem because I do my homework, ask the seller questions if I have them, and check their online reputation.

In this case, there are closeup photos that reveal the jade beneath the patina. Anyone who knows their rocks will recognize it as jade. A good seller provides such photographs. The reason I found this auction is because I'm doing research for a pair of carved jade dragon bookends I'm about to list for auction. The first thing a good seller does (if not already an expert) is try to find similar items and see what people are paying for it on Ebay. My search turned this up and....what a surprise! My bookends are far from 5,000 years old and I'm pretty sure the dragons are not aliens, but I was able to find enough similar items to have a good idea what to list it for.

Ebay's not really that scary or unsafe a place if you do a bit of study and use your noggin.

Whomever paid the $1,000+ for that piece is either a jade enthusiast or an alien enthusiast or both and is probably tickled pink for their investment. Both buyer and seller are happy and no harm is done. That is, of course, until the aliens come looking for their little one!

Mmmwwwwuuuaaaaahhhhhh!

[Sparko]

I am familiar with ebay, Jardin. I sold lots of stuff on it and bought even more. I know that despite feedback ratings people will get ripped off by those who want to do that.

I noticed that this seller has his feedback set to private so you can't actually see what others have said. that seems suspicious to me.

I am very careful when I buy on ebay. Especially if the seller has private feedback and goes around describing a statue as an 'alien' statue.

[JardinPrayer]

Forgive me for presuming an Ebay innocence you apparently don't have, John. You seem much more wary than the average Ebayer...since so many of us have consistently good experiences for exactly the reason you cite: we are careful.

I've started an EBay treasure hunt thread in the rec room...perhaps that will be more fun. Have a look!

[Sparko]

Forgive me for presuming an Ebay innocence you apparently don't have, John. You seem much more wary than the average Ebayer...since so many of us have consistently good experiences for exactly the reason you cite: we are careful.

I've started an EBay treasure hunt thread in the rec room...perhaps that will be more fun. Have a look!

I usually buy electronics and computer stuff on ebay and there is a lot of fake stuff going on there, and sometimes people even hijack accounts of people who have good feedback and then sell a bunch of phoney stuff and leave the original guy to take the blame.

So yeah, be careful!! Especially be wary of people who ask for money to be wired to them instead of taking pal pal.

[JardinPrayer]

That stuff I had no idea about...point taken.

Now, go have some fun in the treasure hunt!