How to Identify Real vs. Fake Antiques
Spotting the Fakes
The antique market is unfortunately full of reproductions and outright fakes. As prices for genuine antiques rise, so does the incentive for forgers. Whether you are a seasoned collector or a novice, learning to spot a fake is essential to protecting your investment.
1. Too Good to Be True?
The old adage applies: if it looks too good to be true, it probably is. If you find a "rare" Ming vase at a flea market for $20, be skeptical. While lucky finds happen, they are the exception, not the rule.
2. Signs of Natural Age
Genuine antiques show signs of aging that are hard to fake perfectly.
- Wear Patterns: Wear should be consistent with how the item was used. A chair should have wear on the seat and the stretcher where feet rested. If the wear looks random or artificially applied (like with sandpaper), it's likely a fake.
- Oxidation: Metals oxidize over time. Silver tarnishes, copper develops a green verdigris, and iron rusts. A piece that looks brand new might be a reproduction.
- Crazing: On old pottery and porcelain, the glaze often develops a network of fine cracks called crazing. Fakes may try to replicate this, but the cracks often look too uniform.
3. Materials and Construction
Forgers often use modern materials that weren't available when the original was made.
- Synthetic Fabrics: Check textiles for synthetic fibers like polyester, which wasn't invented until the 20th century.
- Modern Glue: Look for traces of glue. Old hide glues crystallize and turn dark; modern white or yellow glues are a dead giveaway.
- Staples vs. Tacks: Upholstery attached with staples is modern. Antique upholstery was attached with tacks.
4. The "Smell" Test
Believe it or not, your nose can help. Old furniture often has a musty smell, or smells of old wax and wood. A strong smell of fresh chemicals, varnish, or paint indicates a new piece.
5. Markings and Hallmarks
Fakers often try to copy famous marks, but they often get the details wrong.
- Quality of the Mark: Genuine marks are usually crisp and clear. Fake marks might be blurry, uneven, or stamped over the glaze instead of under it.
- Consistency: Does the mark match the time period of the piece? A mark used in 1850 appearing on a style of vase from 1750 is a clear sign of a fake.
6. Modern Manufacturing Signs
Look for signs of modern mass production.
- Seams: Mold seams on glass or pottery that should be hand-blown or hand-thrown.
- Pixelation: On "hand-painted" items, look closely with a magnifying glass. If you see tiny dots (pixels), it's a decal or print, not a painting.
Conclusion
Educating yourself is the best defense against fakes. Handle as many genuine items as you can—go to museums and reputable antique shops to get a feel for the real thing. The more you see the real deal, the easier it will be to spot the imposters.