There you are, wandering around an estate sale when you see it; a gorgeous painting that looks like it was done by one of the Masters. You try to hide your excitement and casually stroll over. At this price, can it possibly be real? Or are the sellers just unaware that this is a true gem?
Discovering a hidden art treasure is like finding a needle in a haystack. Most of the works are priced well if they are truly authentic. If the price is too good to be true, it often is. But every so often, a person can get lucky and find just the right piece at just the right price.
Spot The Forgery
How can you tell if the art piece you love is authentic, or just a lovely piece of work? A few things to consider:
- Flip it over and check out the back. You’ll find a good deal of information on the back of a piece, such as auction labels or owner stamps. When it comes to a forgery, the front is often more important to the artist than the back, so you might get an idea by what you don’t see on the back.
- Look for the signature. When it comes to the signature, there are a few things to keep in mind. First, know where your artist typically signs their work and be suspicious of a change in location. Second, know if they use initials, full name, or use embellishments and look for the consistency; they aren’t likely to change from piece to piece. Third, the signature should match the medium. For example, if the painting is oil, the signature should be in oil; if the signature is in ink, you might have a forgery.
- Check the provenance documentation. A good piece should have the documentation that it is legal for purchase and not a stolen work. And be sure that the provenance really goes with the item in question and not borrowed from another piece.
Remember, for every artist who has made the big time, there are a hundred who never will, though their work might be just as gorgeous. Just because the name isn’t well-known, it shouldn’t stop you from buying a piece that touches your heart. And besides, you never know when a breakthrough might happen, boosting the worth ten-fold.
Looking For A Sale
At Heritage Estate Sales, we’ve seen plenty of artwork by the greats, and plenty of just plain great art. If you’re on an artwork quest and are looking for an estate sale this weekend, visit our website for sale locations and information. You can also browse through some of the items up for sale before you even arrive. You never know what you can find!