The antique market continues to grow. With consumer demand for antique pieces, an overwhelming amount of replicas and dupes have arrived. Though, the replicas can be a good deal for those wishing to get the antique look without the high price tag. Buying a reproduction can be a tremendous loss for vintage enthusiasts.
However, being equipped with a basic understanding of how to spot fake antiques can help to avoid being scammed and shelling out a lot of cash for a reproduction.
First, we need to clear up what is an antique piece. In the most basic definition, it is a work of art, piece of furniture, or decorative object over 100 years old. Anything that dates before 1900 can be tagged as antique.
So, how to differentiate an antique piece from a fake? Here are a few suggestions on how to do that:
Maker's marks
A great sign of a genuine antique can be the marks makers. Learning to accurately recognize the marks, along with their forms and styles, will help guide you in the right direction.
Patina
Patina is the first sign that indicates that an item is genuinely vintage. It is found on various materials such as wood, paper, or metal and indicates the age of the item. Patina is the natural surface layer that develops naturally over time and cannot be added artificially.
Of course, materials can be artificially aged with chemicals. However, nothing exactly matches the depth of an aged natural finish.
Materials
Awareness of detail is essential when you are looking for a genuine antique. Pay attention to a specific era: the materials and construction methods used in those times. Antique pieces that are made from a mix of woods, a “soft paste” porcelain (in contrast to the “hard paste” used nowadays), or rare textiles can be signs of a true treasure of the past. Just a quick research of the materials used during that time you are interested in may allow you to determine a duplicate.