It’s been said imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, but does that hold true for American art pottery makers? If you have been around American art pottery for long you likely realize there have been many attempts to copy Roseville pottery pieces. Unfortunately, many of these reproductions were mistakenly believed to be authentic Roseville, which led to many disappointed Roseville enthusiasts. During the 1990s, there was a surge of Chinese imports of fake Roseville pottery. Experts in art pottery are better adept at spotting the fakes than the casual collector. With that thought in mind, here are a few things to keep in mind as you try to develop your own “eagle eye” for spotting these fakes and a few tips to ensure you don’t get taken:
· The glazing efforts of fakes are never as rich and fluid as the real Roseville pottery. Many say it’s “very dull” and lacks depth. A true Roseville pottery piece has a translucent glaze that allows you to see the clay color. Further, Roseville experts agree the leaves on authentic Roseville pottery offer more vivid coloring.
· Also, experts agree that you should familiarize yourself with the markings Roseville Pottery used over the years. Many Chinese fakes often confuse the dating with the various markings that are indicative of a true Roseville. If you’re not sure, do your homework, ask a Roseville Pottery expert or resist the urge to buy it until you are sure.
· Only choose to purchase Roseville Pottery from those dealers who have superb reputations. Also, Just Art Pottery offers an online book store where you can purchase books by Roseville Pottery experts such as Mark Bassett. His many books offer invaluable information on American art pottery.
· Finally, unless you’re choosing a piece for the sake of owning it, be sure to have your Roseville pottery collections – and for that matter, any art pottery collection – both appraised and insured.
Collecting art pottery is a passion and there’s nothing more disappointing than losing a fellow collector who’s disheartened by investing in anything that’s not authentic. For those who have collected art pottery for years, they know that moment when they discover a rare find that forever cements them to the art as a whole. Everyone should know that thrill.
