The Fake Antique Market

Antiques are a very specialised market, whether it's furniture, collectables, or any other branch. The one thing you can guarantee is that many items - some famous, many not - have been faked at some point, with dealers and consumers fooled.
The fake antique business can be very lucrative, especially for the high-end items, which are usually done by real craftsmen and can be so good that only real experts can tell whether they're authentic or not - and sometimes not even then. At the other end of the scale are the mass-produced Chinese fakes that might superficially look good to the untrained eye, but wouldn't fool anyone with a smidgen of knowledge.
In between are the good and not so good, and many of them are for sale in online auctions such as those on eBay, or at car boots sales and antiques fairs. The problems is that "antiques" covers such a wide range of possibilities - anything old or vintage, really - that being an expert in every field is impossible; becoming an expert in one takes a lifetime of study. Most people might acquire a passing knowledge at best.
How Not To Be Fooled By Fake Antiques
The first thing to understand is that if you don't know what you're doing, then sooner or later you're going to be a victim of the fake antique - and it will probably be sooner rather than later! Furniture and art are two areas where the novice is very readily fooled. Do your research, as much as you can beforehand. Read every book and magazine you can get hold of in your specialist field, take a course if possible. You need to know the styles and the features that distinguish and authenticate particular craftsman or stylists.
Following a basis in theory, you will then need to see the real items. Go to museums, to auction rooms and sales, and in the latter see if you can spot the fakes - they'll certainly be there. If possible, go in the company of someone experienced, an antiques dealer or expert to show you things. The more familiar you become, the less likely you are to be fooled by a dealer or at an auction.
Accept the fact that the odds of you finding a bargain worth thousands at a car boot sale are astronomical. If something is priced cheaply, the usual reason is because it's worthless. That £2 piece of scrimshaw, for instance, is going to be a fake on plastic, not real 19th century carving on a whale's tooth. That doesn't mean you shouldn't keep looking, but do it with a jaundiced eye and realise the odds are about the same as winning the lottery.
If You Buy A Fake Antique
If you buy an antique and you're not certain whether it's the real thing, take it to an expert. If it turns out to be fake, then you've learnt from experience. But you can also go back to the person who sold it to you. If it's a reputable dealer, he'll give you your money back without question.
You'll make mistakes, everyone does. But they can be minimal. If you're looking at something expensive, don't be afraid to bring in a second, informed opinion. Use common sense and your knowledge, be careful, not impulsive, and you'll avoid most of the fakes.
- Fake Weddings Cakes
- Which Countries Produce the Most Counterfeits?
- How Countries Are Battling Counterfeit Drugs
- How to Spot Fake Charities
- Do You Buy Fakes?
- China and the Counterfeit Problem
- Who Buys Fakes?
- The Penalty for Adulterated Milk
- Recognising an Email as Spam
- Bogus Workmen and Your Rights
- How to Spot Fake Identification
- Consumer Rights - What Can You Do If You've Purchased Counterfeit Goods?
- Your Rights As A Consumer - How To Make A Complaint
- Counterfeiting and Copyright - Protecting Your Intellectual Property
- Fake Aeroplane Parts and Illegal Counterfeiting
- Fake Food and Drink
- Recgonising and Handling Counterfeit Currency
- Counterfeit Auto Accessories
- The Business in Fake Car Parts
- The Dangers of Fake Medications
Re: Consumer Rights - What Can You Do If You've Purchased Counterfeit Goods?
Bought fake jacket off eBay £500 eBay and bank refused refund refund…
Re: Your Rights As A Consumer - How To Make A Complaint
Hi, I purchased a pair motorcycle pants form an online company Custom Jacket Co, they registered at…
Re: Consumer Rights - What Can You Do If You've Purchased Counterfeit Goods?
Was sold counterfeit jewellery items although stated in the ad that it…
Re: Consumer Rights - What Can You Do If You've Purchased Counterfeit Goods?
I recently bought five Momo carbon fibre steering wheels off a person on…
Re: Consumer Rights - What Can You Do If You've Purchased Counterfeit Goods?
I bought about 70 goods from 5 star costemics on May 26, 2020, and when I…
Re: Counterfeit Cigarettes On The Market
I have been buying what I think is Richmond Blue from a local shop at full market price but they keep going out, are…
Re: Counterfeit Cigarettes On The Market
Started using a cigarette case as new packs horrible, noticed varying filter lengths Marlboro red from local shop,…
Re: Counterfeit Cigarettes On The Market
If governments around the world didn't keep restricting tobacco, and making prices become insanely high, then there…
Re: Counterfeit Cigarettes On The Market
Bought Sterling reds in Tenerife from a shop stating 100% genuine. Sterling logo on cigarette is red; when I buy in UK…
Re: Counterfeit Cigarettes On The Market
I have purchase a pack of the fake cigarettes. They taste bad plus I felt kind of dizzy afterwardso. They are all over…