What are antiques?
Antiques are simply defined as "old collectible items." A number of objects accumulate more value as they age. Among them are vintage cars, jewelry,
furniture, coins, and vases, among others. Not only do they grow in sentimental, historical, and cultural worth, the also grow in corresponding monetary
value. For antiques, the older, the rarer, and the stronger the item is despite its age, the more valuable it is. That’s why rare antiques cost a lot of
money, and only those who can afford it can really collect them.
Why do people collect antiques?
Antique collectors usually get into this hobby not just because of antiques’ worth in all aspects, but also because of the pleasure of being able to
appreciate the art and craftsmanship of earlier humans etched in each antique piece. Having antiques gives a feeling of collecting pieces of history with
these silent witnesses of the past.
Antiques are important in sociological, historical, and anthropological studies. They are also especially important in many other social sciences, and even
in actual sciences such as geology.
What are the different types of antique collectables?
There are various types of antique collectables. Among them are antique pieces of furniture (be it English, continental, American, African or Asian, among
others), glasses, plates and ceramics (such as silver plates, Sheffield plates, and ceramic plates), pottery, porcelain, ivory items, enamels, products of
metallurgy, precious stones (such as ruby and jade), antique clocks and watches, antique musical and jewelry boxes, jewelry, cars, laces, embroidery and
other fabric products, and tapestry, among many others.
Where can antiques be found?
Antiques can usually be found in museums, antique shops, homes of antique collectors, old houses, and other places where antiques can be displayed. Dealers
of antiques, especially rare antiques, usually belong to national trade associations, antique collectors associations, or other groups of antique
enthusiasts.
Antique Shopping: Testing Rare Antiques
There are various ways of testing the authenticity of antiques, especially those that sellers claim to be "real antiques". The first and most basic is by
checking if there is any marking or signature signifying the maker or the antique item and/or the year it was made.
Antique collectors make use of black light with long waves in checking out antiques and testing if they are authentic. These black light devices offer
various ways of detecting fake or broken antiques. If you find any of the following on the antique item before you, you might need to reconsider the price ad
conditions of your trade.
1. Porcelain Repairs
Some signs of antique repair cannot be easily seen by the naked eye. However, with the ultraviolet light from black light devices, it would be easy to spot
if repairs were made on porcelain antique.
2. Reproduction Glass
With today’s technology, it easy to make an imitation of almost any work of art, including antiques. The use of black light on antiques made of glass is
particularly helpful in detecting reproduction glass. Reproduction glass usually does not glow under black light. Also, you can determine the type of glass
used on the antique item simply by checking out the color that they’re supposed to exhibit under black light. Depression glass, American colorless glass,
Vaseline glass, and other glasses have their different characteristics.
3. Repairs in Works of Art
Even repairs, cracks, and other blemishes in art works can be detected under black light. Some paintings might have been repaired.
4. Ephemera
Chemical bleaches and dyes glow under black light. Because of this, you’d be able to see if any memorabilia item has been tampered with.
Even antique items made of fabric and iron can be checked using black light. Just make sure to ask antique experts of read on how to interpret what you would
see under the black light.
What are antiques?
Antiques are simply defined as "old collectible items." A number of objects accumulate more value as they age. Among them are vintage cars, jewelry,
furniture, coins, and vases, among others. Not only do they grow in sentimental, historical, and cultural worth, the also grow in corresponding monetary
value. For antiques, the older, the rarer, and the stronger the item is despite its age, the more valuable it is. That’s why rare antiques cost a lot of
money, and only those who can afford it can really collect them.
Why do people collect antiques?
Antique collectors usually get into this hobby not just because of antiques’ worth in all aspects, but also because of the pleasure of being able to
appreciate the art and craftsmanship of earlier humans etched in each antique piece. Having antiques gives a feeling of collecting pieces of history with
these silent witnesses of the past.
Antiques are important in sociological, historical, and anthropological studies. They are also especially important in many other social sciences, and even
in actual sciences such as geology.
What are the different types of antique collectables?
There are various types of antique collectables. Among them are antique pieces of furniture (be it English, continental, American, African or Asian, among
others), glasses, plates and ceramics (such as silver plates, Sheffield plates, and ceramic plates), pottery, porcelain, ivory items, enamels, products of
metallurgy, precious stones (such as ruby and jade), antique clocks and watches, antique musical and jewelry boxes, jewelry, cars, laces, embroidery and
other fabric products, and tapestry, among many others.
Where can antiques be found?
Antiques can usually be found in museums, antique shops, homes of antique collectors, old houses, and other places where antiques can be displayed. Dealers
of antiques, especially rare antiques, usually belong to national trade associations, antique collectors associations, or other groups of antique
enthusiasts.
Antique Shopping: Testing Rare Antiques
There are various ways of testing the authenticity of antiques, especially those that sellers claim to be "real antiques". The first and most basic is by
checking if there is any marking or signature signifying the maker or the antique item and/or the year it was made.
Antique collectors make use of black light with long waves in checking out antiques and testing if they are authentic. These black light devices offer
various ways of detecting fake or broken antiques. If you find any of the following on the antique item before you, you might need to reconsider the price ad
conditions of your trade.
1. Porcelain Repairs
Some signs of antique repair cannot be easily seen by the naked eye. However, with the ultraviolet light from black light devices, it would be easy to spot
if repairs were made on porcelain antique.
2. Reproduction Glass
With today’s technology, it easy to make an imitation of almost any work of art, including antiques. The use of black light on antiques made of glass is
particularly helpful in detecting reproduction glass. Reproduction glass usually does not glow under black light. Also, you can determine the type of glass
used on the antique item simply by checking out the color that they’re supposed to exhibit under black light. Depression glass, American colorless glass,
Vaseline glass, and other glasses have their different characteristics.
3. Repairs in Works of Art
Even repairs, cracks, and other blemishes in art works can be detected under black light. Some paintings might have been repaired.
4. Ephemera
Chemical bleaches and dyes glow under black light. Because of this, you’d be able to see if any memorabilia item has been tampered with.
Even antique items made of fabric and iron can be checked using black light. Just make sure to ask antique experts of read on how to interpret what you would
see under the black light.
Thursday, March 5, 2009
Fake, Counterfeit Judaica. Beware!
There are tons of counterfeit silver Judaica items offered. Don't be fooled! How do you know if it's a fake?
The items are usually claimed to be Russian and from the 1800s. Think about it: how many of these items would have survived the pogroms and the Holocaust? If they did, they would be museum pieces, not offered at auction for a few hundred dollars or less.
Common counterfeit items include: circumcision clamps, yads (Torah pointers), besamim (spice) boxes, fancy marriage rings and figurines ("chess pieces"). Who would fake a circumcision clamp? I don't know, but several are for auction as I write this review.
The items typically look new and polished, although sometimes there is a fake patina. Consider this: these antique items were meant to be used on a regular basis. They should have signs of wear and dents. If they look new, they are new!
The same types of items are auctioned over and over again. How many times can the same seller auction a supposedly "rare" item?
The stamped fake hallmarks are almost always the same or very similar. Usually there's a date in the 1800s. After a while, you will immediately recognize the fake hallmarks without difficulty.
To add further insult, many of the items incorporate sad-looking, so-called Jewish figures ("rabbis"). Why would a Jewish person buy a pathetic caricature for themselves?
Don't be fooled! Look at the seller's feedback to learn what he or she has sold before. If they have sold several of these "rare" items before, ask yourself how the seller obtained so many of them. Another clue: many of these auctions hide the bidders' names in "private" auctions. This is so watchdogs such as me cannot contact the buyers.
A new strategy is to offer the item to losing bidders as a "second chance" once the auction is completed. The seller has several copies of the counterfeit item and is using this strategy to unload them.
It is disheartening to see these sellers repeatedly offer counterfeit items. If we don't bid on them, perhaps they will stop. If you have any questions, please contact me.
Addendum: since the time I first wrote this guide, there are less counterfeits being sold on the US eBay site. However, I have discovered many more counterfeits on the European site, mostly from German sellers.
Below, this ring is offered over and over again as a marriage ring from the 1800s. Look again: it's shiny and new. They usually sell on eBay for 50 to 150 dollars. A real one would cost thousands, if you could find one.
Fake circumcision shield--the slot is much too wide to perform a circumcision. I once bought one out of curiosity. It was very flimsy and could not be used for any procedure. These are sold over and over again on eBay. They are typically shiny and unused.
Here's another fake circumcision shield from the same vendor. Where did he get the truckload of shields? Again, the slot is much too wide to work.
This filigree, so-called besamim (spice) holder appears on eBay from time to time. Each one may have some variations, but they always look new and are claimed to be "rare" antiques. There may be a slim, boyish figure holding up the container. At other times, the figure may be a sad "rabbi."
Here is a close-up of the hallmarks on the above besamim holder. These are the typical counterfeit Russian hallmarks.
Here are the sad "rabbis" holding up the besamim container. They look more like Star Wars figures.
This was advertised as a kiddush (wine) cup. I give the auctioneer credit for creativity. If you turn the item over, it becomes a fake Jewish "chess piece!"
Here is another fake besamim (spice) holder. This seller always seems to have one available for auction. How rare can it be?
Finally, here's a real laugh. This was listed as an antique silver jewelry box. Now tell me: how antique can a COMPUTER be?
I hope you enjoyed this guide and have found it helpful.
--bobmeyer99
New! Go to the AuctionTracker to see past Judaica auctions.
This is an eye-opener:
http://www.geocities.com/bobmeyer99/AuctionTracker.html
Here's another link about counterfeit Judaica:
http://www.geocities.com/circcentral
To read this guide in German/zum Lesen dieser Anleitung in Deutsch: http://reviews.ebay.com/Fake-gefaelschte-Judaica-ACHTUNG_W0QQugidZ10000000010529303
The items are usually claimed to be Russian and from the 1800s. Think about it: how many of these items would have survived the pogroms and the Holocaust? If they did, they would be museum pieces, not offered at auction for a few hundred dollars or less.
Common counterfeit items include: circumcision clamps, yads (Torah pointers), besamim (spice) boxes, fancy marriage rings and figurines ("chess pieces"). Who would fake a circumcision clamp? I don't know, but several are for auction as I write this review.
The items typically look new and polished, although sometimes there is a fake patina. Consider this: these antique items were meant to be used on a regular basis. They should have signs of wear and dents. If they look new, they are new!
The same types of items are auctioned over and over again. How many times can the same seller auction a supposedly "rare" item?
The stamped fake hallmarks are almost always the same or very similar. Usually there's a date in the 1800s. After a while, you will immediately recognize the fake hallmarks without difficulty.
To add further insult, many of the items incorporate sad-looking, so-called Jewish figures ("rabbis"). Why would a Jewish person buy a pathetic caricature for themselves?
Don't be fooled! Look at the seller's feedback to learn what he or she has sold before. If they have sold several of these "rare" items before, ask yourself how the seller obtained so many of them. Another clue: many of these auctions hide the bidders' names in "private" auctions. This is so watchdogs such as me cannot contact the buyers.
A new strategy is to offer the item to losing bidders as a "second chance" once the auction is completed. The seller has several copies of the counterfeit item and is using this strategy to unload them.
It is disheartening to see these sellers repeatedly offer counterfeit items. If we don't bid on them, perhaps they will stop. If you have any questions, please contact me.
Addendum: since the time I first wrote this guide, there are less counterfeits being sold on the US eBay site. However, I have discovered many more counterfeits on the European site, mostly from German sellers.
Below, this ring is offered over and over again as a marriage ring from the 1800s. Look again: it's shiny and new. They usually sell on eBay for 50 to 150 dollars. A real one would cost thousands, if you could find one.
Fake circumcision shield--the slot is much too wide to perform a circumcision. I once bought one out of curiosity. It was very flimsy and could not be used for any procedure. These are sold over and over again on eBay. They are typically shiny and unused.
Here's another fake circumcision shield from the same vendor. Where did he get the truckload of shields? Again, the slot is much too wide to work.
This filigree, so-called besamim (spice) holder appears on eBay from time to time. Each one may have some variations, but they always look new and are claimed to be "rare" antiques. There may be a slim, boyish figure holding up the container. At other times, the figure may be a sad "rabbi."
Here is a close-up of the hallmarks on the above besamim holder. These are the typical counterfeit Russian hallmarks.
Here are the sad "rabbis" holding up the besamim container. They look more like Star Wars figures.
This was advertised as a kiddush (wine) cup. I give the auctioneer credit for creativity. If you turn the item over, it becomes a fake Jewish "chess piece!"
Here is another fake besamim (spice) holder. This seller always seems to have one available for auction. How rare can it be?
Finally, here's a real laugh. This was listed as an antique silver jewelry box. Now tell me: how antique can a COMPUTER be?
I hope you enjoyed this guide and have found it helpful.
--bobmeyer99
New! Go to the AuctionTracker to see past Judaica auctions.
This is an eye-opener:
http://www.geocities.com/bobmeyer99/AuctionTracker.html
Here's another link about counterfeit Judaica:
http://www.geocities.com/circcentral
To read this guide in German/zum Lesen dieser Anleitung in Deutsch: http://reviews.ebay.com/Fake-gefaelschte-Judaica-ACHTUNG_W0QQugidZ10000000010529303
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)