Well, folks, here’s a lesson on why garage sales might need more scrutiny! A French grandma, 81, and grandpa, 88, found an old African mask while tidying up their holiday house. They sold it to a local antique dealer for a mere $157, thinking it was just another trinket. Imagine their surprise when they spotted their ‘trinket’ in the news, auctioned off for a whopping $4.4 million! The mask wasn’t just any mask; it was a rare Fang mask with a backstory straight from an adventure novel. Grandpa’s grandpa, who had been a colonial governor in Africa in the early 20th century, brought it home from Gabon. This mask had…

Oh, so you’ve caught the exotic decor bug, have you? Before you splurge on that “authentic” African mask to add a dash of je ne sais quoi to your living room, let’s talk about the few (or many) reasons why that might not be your best idea. 1. The Historical Baggage First off, let’s be clear: African masks aren’t just fancy wall decorations. Each mask carries the weight of history, culture, and ritual significance. By buying one without understanding its origins, you’re essentially telling your guests, “I have a deep appreciation for beautiful things I know nothing about. 2. Reproduction Galore! Authenticity? More like au-thent-ish. Thanks to the global demand…