Nigrinian

It would seem to me (simpleton that I am) that a "large" auction house offering what appears to be a questionable item is engaging in fraud. Unless the potential buyer is made aware he/she is relying on the reputation of the seller and usually paying a premium ! If the seller knowingly offers a fake how is this not criminal behavior ?

I had a similar thing happen with a Japanese Sword item being sold at auction in August. I informed the auction house that the item was a fake but they did not remove it or even indicate there was doubt about the it. What was strange is that the auction knows me personally. I guess it's come down to just making a buck and "Let the buyer be ware".

Whether they 'know' it is fake is secondary to them not knowing an item is genuine !
Naturally they cannot simply accept any opinion which may come from some 'rube' who walks in off the street.
But if they simply disregard informed opinions from (semi) reliable sources they are involved in hucksterism !
If a "reputable" jeweler sold me a zirconia as a diamond and the best they could say is oops sorry I would suspect the worst.

I suspect the "wurst"

Someone is peddling baloney !