Abstract
For the authentication of art objects, scientific methods have proved to be of high importance. The analysis of the material, the study of technical features, the consideration of ageing phenomena and the methods for the determination of the absolute age usually permit highly reliable conclusions on the authenticity of works of art. The analysis of the material is a useful method if works of art examined consiste of materials whose type or properties have changed in the course of history, like the pigments of paintings, the dyestuffs of textiles or the copper alloys. The study of technical features can be used for the authentication of objects produced by more elaborate techniques, like complicated metal objects or glazed and painted pottery. The consideration of ageing phenomena provides informations on the authenticity of excavated objects covered with a patina, rust or calcareous deposits which cannot be imitated artificially. Finally about 20 techniques for the determination of the absolute age of art objects are available for solving authenticity problems.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Access this chapter
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
Preview
Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.
References
Becker, K. and Goedicke, Ch.: A quick method for authentication of ceramic art objects. Nucl. Inst. Methods 151, No. 1/2, 313–316, 1978
Caroll, D. L.: Drawn wire and the identification of forgeries in ancient jewelry. Amer. Journ. Archaeol. 74, No. 4, p. 401, 1970
Cope, L. H.: A metallurgical examination of four false dirhams from the Iranian hoard. Numismatic Chronicle, 15, 165–168, 1975
Dahl, E. H.: Faksimile maps and forgeries. Archivaria 10, 261–263, 1980
Ewald, F.: Studien zur Altersbestimmung von Ölgemälden durch Schmelzversuche an Farbschichtproben. Fette, Seifen, Anstrichmittel, 65, No. 4, 358–368, 1963
Fleming, S. J.: Thermoluminescent authenticity testing of a pontic amphora. Archaeometry, 12, No. 2, 129–131, 1970
Fleming, S. J. and Stoneham, D.: Thermoluminescent authenticity study and dating of Renaissance terracottas. Archaeometry 15, No. 2, 239–247, 1973
Fleming, J.: Authenticity in Art. Inst, of Physics, London 1975, 164 S.
Fleming, S. J.: Authenticity in art: scientific detection of forgery. Inst, of Physics, London 1975
Fleming, S.: Detecting art forgeries. Physics Today, 34–39, 1980
Frankel, R.: Detection of art forgeries by X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy. Isotop. Radiat. Technol. 8, No. 1, 65–68, 1970
Keisch, B. and Callahan, R. C.: Sulfur isotope ratios in ultramarine blue: applications to art forgery detection. Applied Spectroscopy, 30, No. 5, p 515, 1976
Kowalski, H.: Nuclear radiation exposes art forgers and coin counterfeiters. Euro Spectra, 2, No. 2, 47–55, 1972
McCrone, W. C.: Authenticity of medieval document tested by small particle analysis. Anal. Chem. 48, No. 8, 676 A–679 A, 1976
Oddy, W. A.: Coin forgeries at work. MASCA-Journal 1, No. 3, 80–81
Riederer, J.: Die Untersuchung von Sinter und Patina zur Echtheitsprüfung antiker Bodenfunde. Archäologischer Anzeiger, 295–299, 1975
Riederer, J.: Forgeries of cycladic marble objects. In: Thimme, J.: Kunst der Kykladen, Karlsruhe 1976 (Engl. Edit.), 92–94
Riederer, J.: Die Erkennung von Fälschungen mit naturwissenschaftlichen Methoden. Fälschung und Forschung, Essen 1976, 187–199
Riederer, J.: Die Erkennung von Fälschungen kunst- und kulturgeschichtlicher Objekte aus Kupfer, Bronze und Messing durch naturwissenschaftliche Untersuchungen. Berliner Beiträge zur Archäometrie, 2, 85–95, 1977
Riederer, J.: Naturwissenschaft entlarvt Fälschungen. Weltkunst 1977, No. 3, 124–125
Riederer, J.: Die naturwissenschaftliche Echtheitsprüfung von Kunstwerken. Jahrb. Preußischer Kulturbesitz, 16, 73–82, 1979
Riederer, J.: Kunstwerke chemisch betrachtet. Springer Verlag, Berlin. Heidelberg, New York 1981, 191p.
Schweizer, F. and Meyers, P.: Authenticity of ancient silver objects: a new approach. MASCA-Journal 1, No. 1, 9.10, 1978
Shaplin, P. D.: Thermoluminescence and style in the authentication of ceramic sculpture from Oaxaca, Mexico. Archaeometry 20, No. 1, 47–54, 1978
Terry, K. W. and De Laeter, J. R.: X-ray diffraction analysis of grain size as a method of detection of reproductions among seventeenth-century Spanish silver reales. Numism. Chronicle, 14, 198–202, 1974
Webster, R.: Photographic techniques in forensic gemmology. Forensic Photography, 2, No. 3, 2–8, 1973
Zimmermann, D. W.: Thermoluminescence: A dating and authenticating method for art objects. Technology and conservation, 3, No. 1, 32–37, 1978
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Editor information
Editors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 1986 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg
About this paper
Cite this paper
Riederer, J. (1986). The Detection of Art Forgeries with Scientific Methods. In: Maehly, A., Williams, R.L. (eds) Forensic Science Progress. Forensic Science Progress, vol 1. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-69400-4_5
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-69400-4_5
Publisher Name: Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg
Print ISBN: 978-3-642-69402-8
Online ISBN: 978-3-642-69400-4
eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive