As the appreciation for Ming and Qing dynasty furniture in China has grown, so has the problem of counterfeiting. When purchasing authentic pieces from this era, it's essential to be aware of the various tricks used by unscrupulous dealers. Here are 12 common methods used to deceive buyers:
1. The Splitting Trick
This involves disassembling a genuine piece of furniture and then using parts of it to create multiple fake items. Some components are replaced with new ones, while others are kept old, making it difficult to distinguish between real and fake.
2. The Flower Transplanting Trick
Over time, many antique pieces become damaged or deteriorated. Some fraudsters take parts from different types of furniture and attach them to make a seemingly authentic piece. This method is especially common when original parts are missing or broken.
3. Mixed Materials Trick
Some furniture is made with cheap wood on the inside but covered with a thin layer of hardwood on the outside. This technique is often used to mislead buyers into thinking they're purchasing high-quality hardwood furniture.
4. Mixing Good and Bad Wood
Since some hardwoods look similar, fraudsters mix good and bad quality wood in the same piece to pass off inferior products as authentic. This can be hard to detect without expert knowledge.
5. The Beam Stealing Trick
This involves replacing soft drawers—made of materials like rattan or silk—with harder wooden ones. Soft drawers were commonly used in Ming-style furniture, offering comfort but requiring more maintenance. Many antique pieces have been altered to match modern preferences.
6. The "Rare" Trick
Furniture that was once common is sometimes reclassified as rare to increase its value. For example, a simple square table might be falsely labeled as a rare "drawer table" to attract higher prices.
7. The Modification Trick
Some counterfeiters alter the original design of genuine pieces, such as removing carvings to make the furniture appear older. This trick exploits the belief that simpler designs are more authentic.
8. The Height Adjustment Trick
To suit modern living styles, some antique furniture is shortened or modified. For instance, traditional high-backed chairs may be lowered to resemble modern sofas, misleading buyers into thinking they're acquiring authentic historical pieces.
9. The Insect Damage Trick
Some fakes are deliberately marked with holes or damage to simulate age. These artificial signs mimic the effects of time, making it harder for buyers to tell real antiques from imitations.
10. The "Aged" Appearance Trick
Counterfeiters use various techniques to make new furniture look old. This includes sanding, painting, and even creating fake wear marks. The goal is to give the illusion of long-term use and history.
11. Fake Patina Trick
Patina refers to the natural aging of wood over time. Fake patina is created using chemicals or coatings, which can be easily distinguished from real aging. Genuine patina feels smooth and warm, while fake versions often feel greasy or unnatural.
12. The Quick Aging Trick
Some counterfeiters use tea water, soil, and sunlight to speed up the aging process of new furniture. This creates an aged appearance quickly, though the results often lack the authenticity of true antiques. For example, legs may be buried in the ground to darken and show "water stains," but these usually don't match the depth of real historical wear.
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