All About Antiques

Authentic Chinese jade can be identified by its high specific gravity, allowing it to easily scratch glass, and its cold temperature to the touch compared to glass or plastic fakes. Genuine nephrite and jadeite possess a fibrous or granular internal structure visible under 10x magnification, whereas simulants often show internal bubbles. Imagine you are at…

Unsigned antique paintings, particularly those on tin (such as retablos or early American folk art), can be identified by analyzing the tin’s thickness, oxidation patterns, and pigment composition. Authentic 19th-century tin paintings display natural, uneven rust on the edges and utilize hand-ground mineral pigments, completely lacking the uniform, machine-rolled metal and synthetic paints found in…

Authentic antique transferware is identified by a thin, tissue-like printed pattern applied under the glaze, commonly in blue, pink, or brown. Look for the maker’s printed mark on the base, often featuring the pattern name in a cartouche, and characteristic stilt marks from the kiln. Genuine 19th-century English pieces show slight pattern misalignments and pooling…

Authentic Chinese hardstone carvings can be identified by the material’s natural inclusions, cool temperature to the touch, and hand-polished finish. Genuine antique quartz, agate, coral, and rock crystal pieces from the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911) lack the uniform perfection of modern machine-carved fakes and often feature intricate, continuous openwork. Imagine you are at a dusty estate…

The most commonly faked antiques include Tiffany lamps, Staffordshire dogs, cast iron banks, and Roseville pottery. Authentic pieces exhibit natural patina, crisp maker’s marks, and period-correct hardware, whereas modern reproductions often feature artificial aging, Phillips-head screws (invented in 1932), and sloppy paint application under blacklight inspection. Imagine you are at a dusty estate sale in…

Authentic archaic Chinese jade carvings can be identified by their distinctive shapes like the bi disc (symbolizing heaven) and the cong tube (representing earth), crafted primarily from nephrite before the 18th century. Genuine pieces exhibit natural calcification, iron staining, and traditional slow-abrasion tool marks, unlike modern reproductions using rotary tools. Imagine you are at a…