The authenticity of an antique will noticeably affect its collectible value. Therefore, a significant part of buying an item is figuring out whether it is a genuine antique. There are several signs by which you can determine the authenticity of an antique piece. The key to identifying and evaluating an item is the signature of the manufacturer or artist which considerably simplifies the search and prompts in the right direction.
Maker’s marks are clues to an antique's age and its value
Maker’s marks include the signs to determine the following features:
- artist or manufacturer
- country of origin
- approximate date of production
- number of items produced in the same style
With the tremendous number of identification marks, it is almost impossible to recognize all the different manufacturers in one particular category. However, with a bit of personal research of the maker's marks used for the concrete piece, you can generally find all the necessary information that is common to the type of antique, country of origin, period of a piece creation, and materials used for maker's marks.
How to find a maker’s marks
Usually, the maker’s marks are hidden at first glance to avoid detracting from the overall visual appeal of the piece. Depending on an antique piece, look in certain places and on specific types of marks: check the underside of porcelain or pottery, and the inside of jewelry, while furniture has a wide range of locations where the marks can be located.
However, it is worth noting that not all antique items were marked. Moreover, fakes can even copy the maker's mark to look genuine. It means you need to be aware of other signs to ensure the piece is authentic. For example, check if the item was made from available material of that period and in its intended country of origin or if it has decorations styles that match that artistic movement.