Alerts by type of property

Paintings and drawings are the most numerous items in the database; their recognition rests on the subject, dimensions, support, signature and restorations. Sculptures raise other questions: several copies may exist (edition bronzes), which makes foundry marks essential.

Art objects, furniture and silverware are identifiable by manufacturing details: hallmarks, workshop marks, stamps. They are often dismantled or altered to be resold, hence the importance of photographing details.

Archaeological and ethnographic objects are distinguished by the frequent lack of documentation: coming from clandestine digs, they have neither passport nor photograph. Alerts are then based on museum inventories and investigation reports.

Tribal art poses a particular problem: many objects have a high market value but poorly documented provenance. OIMAP asks dealers to produce documents attesting the date and place of collection.

Old books, manuscripts and archives are vulnerable, as they are easy to carry and to cut up. The signs of recognition are the bookplate, annotations, binding marks and gaps in collation.

Cooperation with libraries and national archive services is close: these institutions report their losses to the BIOP, which relays the information to antiquarian booksellers and specialised salerooms.

The profile of stolen property changes with the market. The rise in contemporary art prices has multiplied thefts of recent works, harder to recognise because less documented. Tribal art and archaeological objects remain prime targets for networks.

OIMAP monitors these trends and adapts its categories, identification sheets and training. Specialists are invited to contribute by reporting new practices.