FAKES AND FORGERIES SEMINARS
THE POSSIBILITY OF OVERLOOKING A FAKE OR FORGED PIECE OF SILVER CONTINUES TO DAUNT EXPERTS, CURATORS AND COLLECTORS.
Often the skill to identify counterfeit or transposed hallmarks seems beyond reach:
- What physical characteristics are indications of an altered piece of plate?
- What clues are there that an article is an illegal cast duplicate of an authentic original?
- How do the experts come to their decision on an object's authenticity and legality?
- What actions are taken when an object is identified as a fake or illegally altered?
Assay Office London's Fakes and Forgeries Seminar aims to answer such questions by combining educational lectures with first-hand contact with examples of authentic and counterfeit silver objects.
The afternoon sessions provide an exclusive opportunity for participants to handle spurious articles from the Assay Office's Black Museum, the largest known collection of fake silver worldwide. Acclaimed silver specialists lead table discussions and train participants' connoisseurship in the identification of fakes and forgeries.
Each table provides unique examples of fakes, including examples of spoons converted into forks, transposed marks and articles made from base metal. In addition, examples that continue to perplex experts are discussed, thereby ensuring that all levels of expertise benefit from the handling sessions.
By completing the seminar, both participants' background knowledge and their connoisseurship skills are strengthened.
UPCOMING EVENTS
Assay Office London's famous 'Fakes and Forgeries Seminars' have been held at many international destinations including New York, Williamsburg and Toronto.
Details of upcoming dates can be found here.
Please contact us for further information.