Art, History and Politics: And The Plunder in Ancient Artefacts Continues

In one of the video recommendations for arts and culture, there was a feature on the economic value of art and how to go about appreciating it. It's a 'white-hot market', some say.
However, it's not always about abstract theories and invaluable aesthetics at work.





Should we ever put a price tag on art?

Things get complicated when art embroils itself into the dark world of politics.  Ancient artefacts deserve special mention here. Issues with contesation, intellectual property rights and national pride fuel the desires of criminal syndicates to trade in these priceless collections. Some even allege that the State is are not immune to these temptations as well.  Here are some depressing (or intriguing?) case studies from China and Iraq.

http://www.nytimes.com/2015/06/21/opinion/the-chinese-want-their-art-back.html?_r=0

http://www.albawaba.com/business/isis-terrorist-mosul-palmyra-nimrud-stolen-artifacts-iraq-syria-705646