Coptic shock: Brooklyn Museum comes clean over authentic works 

By Artnose archaeology correspondent, 
Tom Baroli

Two thirds of Brooklyn Museum's Coptic sculpture collection is authentic, according to a controversial new report, the unexpurgated results of which Artnose can exclusively reveal.  

Scientists at the Greenhalgh Art Laboratory in Bolton, Lancashire came up with the shocking findings after conducting forensic research into the 30-piece Coptic collection in Brooklyn, New York. Some twenty pieces were found to be "completely and utterly authentic," said experts.  

Coptical illusion

In a statement that will surprise the international museum community the report goes on to suggest that numerous other museums could also be sitting on authentic works of art.

"It's quite extraordinary to find so many original, fully provenanced pieces in a museum, let alone such an important museum as this," said the report's author Dr Amarna Dossena of the University of Perugia.

Dr Dossena was called in when a member of the public collapsed in the Coptic galleries in Brooklyn, overcome by an attack of Stendhal Syndrome, the condition that affects those of a sensitive disposition when confronted by authentic works of art.

Embarrassed

"This is not something the museum community likes to discuss openly," said an embarrassed spokesman for the Brooklyn Museum.

Scientists became concerned when art historians noticed that one sculpted group appeared to show a figure leading an aerobics class (above right).

"These highly authentic works, from a class of objects known as ‘Aerobica Coptica Fragilata’ all originate from the Egyptian village of Sheikh N'Vac," said the museum spokesman. "We've been buying there for decades. The dealer we use, Mahatma Kote, is a man of the highest integrity who has a second home in Switzerland."

Professor Rex Tooms is 108.

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