Mutina Ars Antiqua: Elena Caroli on the Italian Archaeological Market

Elena Caroli, owner of Galleria Mutina Ars Antiqua in Modena, Italy, discusses her journey from collector to gallerist, specializing in Egyptian artifacts. The gallery, operating for over twenty years, offers authentic archaeological pieces spanning over five thousand years. Caroli's first significant collection piece was a turquoise faience Ushabti from the XX dynasty, a mummiform statuette inscribed with ritual formulas from the Book of the Dead. Her most notable sale was an Illyrian bronze helmet from the late 7th to early 6th century BC, acquired by an Italian museum. The gallery focuses on Egyptian art, including a cat sarcophagus from the Late Period and a painted wooden sarcophagus lid from the Third Intermediate Period, but also handles Greek, Roman, Etruscan, and Mesopotamian artifacts. Caroli emphasizes the importance of buying from reputable dealers, verifying documentation, and obtaining scientific analysis to ensure authenticity. She notes the Italian market's challenges: strict export regulations from the Soprintendenza archeologica often limit international sales, and prices for archaeological items in Italy are lower than in the broader European market. Since 2018, the market has seen a slight decline, though signs of recovery are emerging. Modena, home to the long-running Modenantiquaria fair, remains a stronghold for antiquities.