Provenance & Authenticity

At Aurora Antiqua Limited, the provenance, authenticity, and lawful acquisition of every artifact are our highest priorities.
We believe that the value of an ancient object lies not only in its age and craftsmanship, but also in its documented history and transparent journey from past to present.

Below you will find a complete explanation of how we source, verify, and document the pieces in our collection.

1. How We Source Our Artifacts

All items offered by Aurora Antiqua Limited come from one of the following trusted channels:

A. Private Collectors

We work with established collectors across Europe and other regions who have built their collections legally and in accordance with local cultural-property laws.
Many collections originate from the 20th century or earlier, ensuring long and well-recorded histories.

B. Licensed Auction Houses

A significant number of our pieces are acquired through reputable auction houses that operate under strict regulations and due-diligence requirements.
Auction houses provide documentation that verifies lawful acquisition, past ownership, and the chain of custody.

C. Estate Collections & Family Archives

Some artifacts originate from inherited collections with longstanding, traceable provenance.

We do not purchase items from uncontrolled sources, unverified markets, or contexts that raise legal or ethical concerns.

2. Provenance Documentation

Every artifact we offer includes as much provenance information as is available, which may include:

  • previous ownership history

  • collection or estate origin

  • auction house documentation

  • acquisition dates and locations

  • reference numbers from past sales

  • any available certificates or supporting records

If additional documents exist (e.g., export licences, expert reports, private collection notes), these are kept on file and can be shared with the buyer upon request.

We strive for maximum transparency and maintain internal records for all items.

3. Legal & Ethical Acquisition

Aurora Antiqua Limited strictly complies with:

  • EU cultural-property regulations

  • international laws governing the trade of antiquities

  • local laws of the acquiring and receiving countries

  • UNESCO and UNIDROIT ethical principles

  • best practices of responsible antiquities trade

No item is purchased or offered for sale unless it has been:

  1. legally acquired,

  2. legally exportable, and

  3. lawfully transferable to the buyer.

If an export licence or cultural-property document is required for a specific item, it is obtained from the relevant authorities before shipping.

4. Authentication Process

Every artifact undergoes careful assessment before being listed for sale. This includes:

  • stylistic, typological, and material analysis

  • comparison with museum examples and scholarly references

  • evaluation of wear, patina, and historical consistency

  • cross-checking of provenance claims

  • review against auction records and collection history

When applicable, pieces are examined by independent specialists or supported by third-party documentation from auction houses or previous collections.

We do not sell replicas, modern reproductions, or artificially aged items.

5. Transparency for Buyers

For each item listed on our website, we provide:

  • clear photographs in natural and studio lighting

  • detailed measurements

  • material description

  • estimated dating (century or culture)

  • available provenance information

  • any known previous collection or auction data

  • condition notes and restoration details (if applicable)

If an item has special restrictions, export requirements, or historical considerations, this will be clearly communicated before purchase.

6. Cultural Property Compliance

Aurora Antiqua Limited respects the cultural heritage of the countries of origin.
We do not deal in objects that have been recently excavated, looted, or removed without proper documentation.

When required by law, we obtain export licences or cultural-property documents before shipment, ensuring full compliance and legal clarity for both seller and buyer.

7. Our Commitment

We believe responsible stewardship of ancient artifacts is essential.
The history of each object is preserved through transparent documentation, ethical sourcing, and respectful presentation.
Our goal is to ensure that these pieces—survivors of thousands of years—continue to be appreciated, studied, and protected for future generations.

If you have any questions about the provenance or authenticity of a specific item, please contact us at:

auroraantiqua@gmail.com