Counterfeit, knock-off, fake – they all mean the same. They are not genuine, and people who buy counterfeit items rob from the artists that make the genuine ones. Counterfeit art pieces are a global problem, and artists suffer losses because of them. Wherever you may be in the world, you will encounter sellers that offer paintings and other pieces of art at meager prices. It’s true that not everyone can afford to buy a pricey painting or a sculpture by a famous artist. Hence, sellers of knock-off items take the opportunity of offering them to those who do not have the money to shell out for expensive products.
There are several ways of spotting a fake artwork. If you were aiming to buy a genuine piece but you are doubtful of its authenticity, you can check these things to make sure that you are getting your money’s worth.
What is a forgery?
Forgery is the creation and selling of something that is credited to the original creator. Forgery of famous art pieces is a very lucrative business, which is why a lot of people everywhere engage in them, even if it is an unethical practice. Good thing there are techniques to determine if a piece of art is fake or not. Analysis techniques and modern dating allow art collectors to prove the authenticity of artworks.
Price
Getting an art piece that is supposed to be expensive at a fraction of the cost is a big red flag. Even if sellers advertise them as sale items, but the price is way below what is acceptable, then it most probably is a fake. If you think that the seller is asking too low for the painting or sculpture, then hold on to your money.
Trademark style
Each artist and manufacturer have its trademark style that is uniform in all the items they make. Check for these trademark points, and if you don’t see them in your purchase or if the styles are off and obviously fake, you are wasting good money. For paintings, you should be familiar with the artists’ signatures. They should be the same on all items regardless of the medium used.
Packaging
Even the packaging on a genuine painting or sculpture is elegant. Even if you ordered it online, the contents should still be intact. If the items arrive with the packaging not what it was supposed to be or if the item has some damage in transit because of poor packaging, it probably is a dupe. Artists painstakingly create their pieces, and they also make sure that they arrive at their new owners intact and in excellent condition. Sellers of fake items do not care about whether the items arrive safely; they only care about their profits.
Although the original works of artists – both famous and unknown are quite expensive, their quality is unmatched. You may have to shell out more than you are used to paying for a particular item, but you can be sure that it will last a really long time with proper care and handling.
Photo Attribution:
1st and featured image from https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1561002515-3aa8c1fdba2b?ixlib=rb-1.2.1&ixid=eyJhcHBfaWQiOjEyMDd9&auto=format&fit=crop&w=562&q=80
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