How to Spot a Reproduction or Fake Antique

2 min read · August 4, 2026

Most reproductions are not sold with intent to deceive — but some are, and even honest mistakes are costly. You do not need to be an expert to avoid the obvious traps. A few habits catch the majority of misdescribed pieces.

Genuine age shows in honest wear

Real antiques wear where hands, feet and use touch them: the edges of a chair arm, the front of a drawer, the base of a leg. That wear should be logical and uneven. Be suspicious of pieces that are evenly “distressed” all over, or worn in places nobody would ever touch — artificial ageing tends to be too tidy, or in the wrong places entirely.

Materials and construction

Construction is one of the hardest things to fake. On older furniture, look for hand-cut dovetails (slightly irregular), saw and plane marks, timber that has shrunk and moved, and oxidation or patina in recesses that would never be polished. Modern screws, perfectly uniform machine joints, plywood, or bright new timber inside an “antique” are red flags. The same logic applies across categories: genuine age leaves traces that are difficult to reproduce convincingly.

Marks, signatures and labels

Maker’s marks, hallmarks and labels help — but they are also the easiest thing to copy. A stamp that is too crisp, in the wrong place, or using a style the maker never used should raise questions rather than settle them. Cross-check marks against known references, and treat a signature as one piece of evidence, not proof on its own.

Provenance and the paper trail

A documented history is the strongest defence against a fake. Ask where a piece has been, who owned it, and what evidence supports the attribution — receipts, exhibition history, old photographs, prior auction records. Gaps are not always fatal, but a seller who can explain the history is far safer than one who cannot. Our guide to provenance questions sets out exactly what to ask.

When to bring in an expert

For a high-value purchase, a professional authentication or a second opinion is cheap insurance. Reputable sellers welcome scrutiny. If a seller resists straightforward questions or refuses additional images, walk away.

Arteify is built around exactly this kind of confidence — with seller verification, condition detail and a verifiable provenance record designed into every listing. See how our buyer guarantee protects you.