Authenticity is the quality of an object being genuinely what it is claimed to be: made in the period, place and manner described, by the maker or workshop to which it is attributed, and without alterations that misrepresent its original character. In the antiques trade it is the foundation on which value and trust are built.
Questions of authenticity arise at several levels. An object may be a deliberate fake, an honest later reproduction, a genuine piece that has been heavily restored or altered, or a marriage of parts from different pieces, such as a bureau top on an unrelated base. Assessing authenticity involves close examination of construction, materials, tool marks, wear, patina, marks and signatures, together with research into style and comparable examples. Scientific techniques such as X-ray fluorescence, thermoluminescence dating and dendrochronology can provide further evidence for some materials. Provenance, in the form of documented ownership, old labels, inventories or sale records, can strongly support an attribution, though documents themselves can be forged. Reputable dealers describe pieces accurately, disclose known restoration and stand behind their descriptions. Buyers should feel free to ask questions about a piece's history and condition, and a written description on the invoice offers useful protection.
