COMBATING THE PRODUCTION OF ART FORGERIES

Authentication is one of the primary goals of archaeometric studies, particularly in conservation-restoration and the fight against art forgeries.

 

When written information is lacking, which is often the case in archaeology, the use of physico-chemical analysis methods is essential to evaluate the date of materials from the past.

At OSE Services, to combat the production of art forgeries, physico-chemical analyses are conducted to identify:

• The nature of the materials used

  • whether they are inorganic (pigments, ceramics, metals, minerals, glass, etc.)
  • or organic (binders, resins, varnishes, waxes, wood, textile fibers, etc.).

• These studies allow for an analytical evaluation of the consistency of the materials used according to the era of the creation of the artwork.

 

However, to establish the authenticity of an art or archaeological object, other techniques can be employed:

• These include dating techniques.

By comparing dating results with historical knowledge and the artistic styles of the time, as well as with the results of physico-chemical analyses, it is possible to determine whether a piece is an original or a copy, and if it was created in the presumed period.

• Artistic styles, decorative motifs, and materials used have changed over time.

Comparing the dates of different works or artifacts allows for the observation of the evolution of cultural and artistic practices within a given society.

• Dating also helps to reconstruct a chronology of events, thereby improving our understanding of the history of civilizations.

Finally, dating techniques aid in the preservation of cultural and archaeological heritage.

By determining the creation date of objects, it is possible to implement the most appropriate conservation protocol, understand how objects have deteriorated over time, and consequently, identify suitable restoration methods.

 

Dating Techniques

At OSE Services, we offer dating services through:

- Lead-210 isotopic measurement

- Dendrochronology (dating based on tree rings, determining the year the tree was felled)

- Thermoluminescence (dating heated mineral crystals, Paleolithic hearth stones, Neolithic and protohistoric pottery shards, etc.)

- Carbon-14 dating