Expertise
Methods for determining authenticity, analysis of marks and signatures. Expert and restorer advice.
Articles (95)
Страница 2 из 5
How to Distinguish Original Perfume from a High-Quality Copy: A Detailed Breakdown
For a clear example, we can look at two bottles of the popular fragrance Bleu de Chanel. One is original, and the other is a very high-quality copy. Even upon close inspection of the packaging and bottles, the difference is not always obvious at first glance.
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The Psychology of Fakes: How Not to Become a Victim in the Antiques Market
The antiques market attracts many, but it is filled not only with genuine treasures but also with skillful forgeries. Understanding the psychology of sellers and buyers of fakes is the key to avoiding deception. There are different types of scammers, and each uses their own methods to mislead.
ExpertiseCollector's Guide
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Why Old Coins Are Worth Nothing: A Beginner's Guide to Valuation
Many people who find a Soviet-era coin in an old drawer or receive one as a gift believe they've struck treasure. This leads to numerous appraisal requests, but in most cases, their expectations are not met.
Collector's GuideExpertise
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Golden 5 Rubles: How to Distinguish a Nearly Perfect Fake from an Original
To conduct an expert examination, it is important to know the standard physical parameters of original coins. In this case, three types of fakes, made in different workshops, are examined and compared with genuine specimens.
ExpertiseCollector's Guide
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Autograph Authentication: How Not to Buy a Signature Made Yesterday
At the heart of autograph expertise lies a detailed graphological analysis. Specialists don't just look at the similarity of letters; they study micro-characteristics that are nearly impossible to forge. Key attention is paid to three main aspects: pressure, dynamics, and writing speed.
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Authentication of Antique Books: Paper, Binding, and Font
Paper is one of the main markers of a book's age. Until the mid-19th century, so-called 'rag' paper, made from linen or cotton, was used for printing. It is durable, elastic to the touch, and often has a characteristic mesh-like structure visible when held up to the light.
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The Most Notorious Forgeries in the History of Collecting
The world of collecting has always been an arena not only for connoisseurs of beauty but also for virtuoso fraudsters. The history of the art market is full of dramatic stories about forgeries that have deceived the most reputable experts, museums, and wealthy collectors. These stories are not just tales of crime, but fascinating narratives about the psychology, talent, and technology of deception.
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Online Appraisal by Photo: Opportunities, Risks, and Reliable Services
In the digital age, the ability to get an expert opinion on an antique without leaving home has become a reality. Online appraisal by photo has become a popular tool for both novice collectors and casual owners of historical items. It allows you to quickly understand whether you are holding a family heirloom or a potentially valuable artifact.
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Restorers' Secrets: When Intervention Increases and When It Decreases an Item's Value
In the world of antiques, not every aesthetic improvement is beneficial. A prime example is numismatics. Attempting to make an old coin shiny with cleaning agents can reduce its value tenfold or more, or even bring it down to the price of the metal. The reason lies in the patina—a noble layer that forms on the metal's surface over decades and centuries.
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Грейдинг монет и банкнот: что означают заветные буквы и цифры?
Для любого коллекционера важно не только найти редкий экземпляр, но и правильно оценить его состояние. Именно для этого существует грейдинг — процесс профессиональной оценки подлинности и сохранности монеты или банкноты независимой экспертной компанией. После оценки предмет помещается в специальный защитный контейнер, который называется слабом.
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How to Recognize 'Reproductions' in the Antiques Market
The antiques market is filled not only with unique items with a history but also with their modern copies, known as 'reproductions.' These are items intentionally created to look old, and their production has now reached an industrial scale. Distinguishing such an item from a genuine artifact can be difficult, as forgery masters have learned to imitate the styles and technologies of past eras.
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Features of Icon Appraisal: What Does an Expert Look For?
The appraisal of an antique icon often resembles the work of an archaeologist. One of the main challenges is the multi-layered nature of the painting. Over the centuries, icons could be repeatedly renewed or completely repainted over the original image. These layers are called 'overpaintings' ('zapis'), and beneath them may lie a genuine masterpiece from a completely different era.
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Jewelry Appraisal: How to Determine the Authenticity of Stones and Metal
A preliminary assessment of a piece of jewelry doesn't always require complex equipment. You can start with two key tools that will help you draw initial conclusions about the authenticity of the stones and the overall condition of the piece. The basics of gemology for beginners start with knowing how to correctly use these simple instruments.
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What is Provenance and Why is it so Important for Collectors
In the world of collecting, you can often hear the term 'provenance'. Translated from French (provenance), this word means 'origin' or 'source'. However, for a collector, its meaning is much deeper — it is the complete and confirmed history of ownership of an art or antique object, from the moment of its creation to the present day.
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Technology Guarding Authenticity: From X-Rays to Chemical Analysis
In the world of art and antiques, the cost of a mistake can be colossal. Traditional expertise, based on stylistic analysis and the study of provenance (history of ownership), is undoubtedly important. However, even the most experienced eye of an art historian can be deceived by a skillful forgery.
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Conducting an Expert Appraisal: Where to Go and How Much Does It Cost?
When the need arises to determine the authenticity and value of an antique, the owner faces a choice: where to go for an expert appraisal? The market for these services in Russia is clearly structured, with three main types of players. Each has its own features, advantages, and disadvantages.
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Marks on Porcelain and Silver: A Complete Guide for Collectors
For any collector, a mark on an antique item is its passport. A small sign, impression, or drawing on the bottom of a porcelain cup or the handle of a silver spoon carries a vast amount of information. It is the mark that helps determine the authenticity, age, place of production, and even the name of the item's creator.
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Forgeries and Copies: How to Distinguish a Fake Painting from an Original
In the art world, a work's authenticity is determined not just by its appearance, but by its history. Provenance is the documented history of a painting's ownership, from the artist's studio to the present day. Impeccable provenance is often a more compelling argument for authenticity than any technical examination.
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The Basics of Attribution: How to Determine the Age and Origin of Antique Furniture
The first step in attributing antique furniture is to identify its style. Each historical period had its own characteristic features, forms, and decorative elements. Knowledge of these features helps to narrow down the time frame of the item's creation and determine its origin.
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Как не стать жертвой мошенников: основные схемы обмана в мире коллекционирования
Мир коллекционирования полон удивительных открытий, исторических загадок и азарта погони за редким экземпляром. Однако там, где вращаются значительные суммы денег и эмоции, неизбежно появляются и те, кто хочет нажиться на чужой страсти нечестным путем. Мошенничество на антикварном рынке старо как сам рынок, но с развитием интернет-торговли его схемы стали более изощренными и массовыми. Отличить подлинный предмет от качественной подделки, а добросовестного продавца от афериста становится все сложнее. Понимание основных уловок и методов обмана является ключевым элементом безопасности для любого коллекционера, независимо от его опыта и сферы интересов. Предупрежден — значит вооружен. Знание — это лучший инструмент, который поможет сохранить не только деньги, но и веру в любимое хобби, защитив от разочарований и обидных потерь.
Collector's GuideExpertise
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