Tips on collecting» Helios Gallery Antiquities

Tips on collecting

Tips on Collecting Antiquities

Exceptions occur to every rule, but the pointers below may help in spotting lower-grade forgeries.

I have focussed on things which most people can try, rather than scientific methods or complex variables and comparables.

This only a brief introduction to the many ways of avoiding fakes.

Tips on collecting

Pottery

Ancient Pottery

To look for concealed damage, spray the object with a fine mist of clean water, restoration and repair will often show up in different tones from the original surfaces as these later additions are either impermeable or absorb water at different rates to the ancient material.
If you dampen an unglazed area of an ancient pot it should give off a lovely rich soil smell, like a summer rainstorm in a musty garden, this applies particularly to Iron Age, Bronze Age and older pottery.
Ancient pottery was usually fired at a lower temperature to modern pottery, therefore it may impart a duller noise if "pinged".
Fake encrustation is often the same colour, density and texture overall as it is applied rapidly with chemicals. Many fake Greek and South Italian pots are covered in an insipid thin white layer of calcification. If the encrustation looks the same on a number of different pots for sale at the same time, be very cautious.
Greek pottery is commonly faked, avoid pieces with well known mythological depictions. Avoid pieces where the style of painting seems a little bit odd: the modern painters copy but cannot replicate the thought-process of the ancient painter. Avoid odd shapes or shapes with unusual variations of handle shape etc, for the same reason.
Greek glazed pottery usually has a very flat surface, if the black areas stand unusually proud of the red areas on Athenian pottery, it could be a warning signal.
Be cautious of pieces which appear to be completely intact.
Avoid dusty even encrustation or soft crumbly encrustation as these are often fake, especially on "Syro-Hittite" figures
Re-painting often occurs, both in restoration or entirely reproducing a scene on an otherwise ancient pot to add value: acetone (nail polish remover) very carefully dabbed on a very small area will erode modern re-painting as it dissolves most varnishes and paints and glues. This will not damage an un-touched item, but it may well damage something which has been tampered, so think carefully before doing this! It will not identify modern forged pots.

Examples

Pottery

Egyptian Antiquities - Egyptian Amarna Bes with kohl vase

Helios Gallery Ancient Mycenaean pottery Stammos

Greek Antiquities - Minoan pottery Linear B inscribed stirrup jar for saffron oil

Pre-Columbian Antiquities - Pre-Columbian Nicoya zoomorphic pottery bowl

West Asian Antiquities - Sumerian Ur III large administrative cuneiform tablet

Greek Antiquities - Greek Attic black glazed pottery squat lekythos

Helios Gallery Ancient Roman pottery triple oil lamp

Tips on collecting

Glass

Ancient Glass

Surface iridescence usually forms in layers, forming skins like an onion, therefore if you try to dislodge it, it should flake rather than crumble (there are exceptions).
The colours in the iridescence should flow like colours in a petrol spill in a puddle, if they don't, investigate why, and it may lead you to some restoration which has been covered up, or worse still, lead you to a modern glass which has been covered with bits of genuine ancient iridescence.
Glass is often cleverly repaired or restored: being very careful, run a very hot pin embedded in a heat-proof handle (like a cork) over areas which look suspicious, the glass will not melt but glue and resin will give off fumes and even smoke. This may damage an item if not done carefully.
Though iridescence can occur on the inside only, look for signs of erosion on the outside surface too, look for pitting containing small traces of iridescence.
With the right chemical reactions iridescence can form in less than 100 years in natural soil conditions, so it is not a guarantee of authenticity. Nor is a piece devoid of iridescence necessarily therefore fake.
Multicoloured glass (heavily faked) will erode at different rates: different colours contain different chemicals which will react at different speeds with chemicals in the soil over 2000 years, if the erosion is even, it may be fake.
Avoid "mosaic" glass, and beads with intricate figurative decoration as nearly all which are offered at bargain prices are fake.

Examples

Glass

Helios Gallery Antiquities - Roman Catalogue - images

Helios Gallery Antiquities - Jewellery Catalogue - images

Roman Antiquities - Roman green glass vase with iridescence

Tips on collecting

Faience

Faience

Avoid anything which does not absorb a drop of water when left on the surface, ancient faience is nearly always porous.
If the surface is very hard (vitrified), it is often an indication of a tourist-grade fake, but it may also be fine: look out for signs of age in the glassy surface: crazing or iridescence or surface wear.
Ushabtis, scarabs and amulets ... this area is heavily faked and a real minefield, tread carefully though bargains can still be found if you are lucky!

Examples

Faience

Egyptian Antiquities - Shabti of Tayuheret, Royal Cache 1 Deir el-Bahri

Tips on collecting

Bronze

Ancient Bronze

Look out for surface patination incorporating different colours, this is a good sign.
Avoid powdery surface encrustation
If the raw metal is exposed anywhere, does it show signs of wear and age?
Avoid pieces with clear casting lines or retaining any evidence of the casting process.
Look out for small crystalline structures in cracks, these are usually a good sign of age albeit also an indicator of possibly "rotten" metal.
Avoid pieces which appear to have active surface encrustation: it may mean that they are genuine and someone has cleaned it in acid or it may mean that it is freshly excavated or it may mean that the surface is fake/recently applied: all bad.
Avoid pieces which have been excessively cleaned, they could be fake but if genuine they are often considered less desirable than pieces with a good patina.

Examples

Bronze

Miscellaneous Antiquities - Etruscan or Villanovan spiral bronze hair or beard ornament

Tips on collecting

Stone

Avoid pieces with no patina.
Avoid pieces with sharp edges to the decoration.
Avoid pieces which seem very crude, for example the eyes are at uneven heights or out of proportion to each other.
Look out for re-cutting on ancient stone, a sadly common practice for several centuries.
If its a fragment, is the decoration central to the piece, and if so, what is the likelihood of the break occurring so conveniently?

Examples

Stone

Cypriot Antiquities - Cypriot limestone votive male head, reputedly ex. Cyprus Museum

Helios Gallery - Ancient Egyptian alabaster vessel

Collecting Antiquities

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Ethos and Business

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Helios Gallery Antiquities - leave a review

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FAQ

Reviews

Most recent comments

Egyptian Funerary Mask

12th August 2024

Thank you Rolf for another stunning item. I am a repeat customer. Helios Gallery is one of the most outstanding dealership enterprises online.

Rolf always provides excellent service and is an expert in his field.

Brian d

Response from Helios Gallery

Thank you, Brian, the mask is amazing, so glad you like it, Sam & Rolf 🙂

Consummate experts of ancient world antiquities

9th August 2024

Only the quality of your offerings surpasses your incredible knowledge. Thank you for providing the opportunity to be the next custodian of such an extraordinary artefact.

Brad

Response from Helios Gallery

Thank you so much Brad, delighted you love the little vase, Sam & Rolf 🙂

Bronze votive figurine of Osiris

4th April 2024

I bought a really lovely figurine and I am delighted! I spoke to Rolph and he is a very nice chap, and the figurine arrived two days later. I have bought from Helios Gallery before, after reading glowing reports about them, and have always loved my purchases. Thank you so much.

Robin Halls

Response from Helios Gallery

Thank you, Robin, Glad you like the little Osiris figure and thank you for taking the time to leave a kind comment about us, Sam & Rolf 🙂

Egyptian sandals

20th December 2023

The sandals have just arrived thank you. Unfortunately they don’t fit me so I have put them in my display cabinet where they look amazing along with the rest of my antiquities. Once again thank you and happy Christmas to you both.

Martin OSullivan

Response from Helios Gallery

Love this! so glad they don’t fit 🙂 and delighted you love them, many thanks for your comment, Sam & Rolf

Helios - excellent collection of items to buy & excellent customer service

16th December 2023

I have just purchased my ninth item from Helios and will continue to make this company my first choice when I want to buy an antiquity. I always feel confident that whatever I decide to buy is authentic and fairly priced, and the service provided to customers is excellent. Thank you Rolf and Sam

Andrew Antoniou

Response from Helios Gallery

Thank you, Andrew, for your great comment. and we are really pleased you love your growing collection, Rolf & Sam

Excellent Experience!

2nd April 2024

This was my first time purchasing from this vendor and I couldn’t be happier. Once I placed my order, they personally emailed me thanking me and ensured it would be shipped out the next day. One week later, across the Atlantic – I received my piece. It was securely packed and handled with care. I look forward to supporting this vendor in the future!

Jean-Paul

Response from Helios Gallery

Thank you, Jean-Paul, so glad everything went smoothly and you’re happy with us and your lekythos, Sam & Rolf 🙂

Geometric oinochoe

8th November 2023

This is my second purchase from Helios. Very happy with the pitcher- just as described in the website. A nice example of italo-geometric pottery. Well packaged as was the previous item. Fast dispatch. Altogether, very satisfied with this purchase. I am sure to return to this seller. Thank you.

Mike

Response from Helios Gallery

Thank you, Mike, for you lovely comment, we love to hear that you like the Oinochoe, it is a lovely piece, Many thanks Sam & Rolf: )

Terracotta figurine of Harpocrates

22nd September 2023

It’s already the second purchase I’ve made from Helios Gallery and for the second time I am satisfied. Rolf is kind and available to resolve any doubts quickly and professionally. I highly recommend helios gallery to everyone who loves history and antiquities!

Alessio

Response from Helios Gallery

Thank you so much for you comment, and glad you like the Terracotta, Sam & Rolf

Smooth transaction. Will return.

13th September 2023

Item as described. Carefully packaged and promptly delivered. A happy purchaser! Will continue to visit this dealer.

Mike

Response from Helios Gallery

So glad you like the lamp, thank you for the kind comment, Sam and Rolf 🙂

ESTIC CONTENTISSIMA DEL SEU TRACTE I DEL PROFESSIONALS QUE SON

7th September 2023

EMPRESA 100% RECOMANABLE PER LA PROFESSINALITAT I PEL BON TRACTE. ELS HE COMPRAT VARIES PECES I SEMPRE AMB LA CONFIANÇA DE QUE ESTIC ACOMPANYADA DE GRAN PROFESSIONALS

NURIA AUBERNI

Response from Helios Gallery

Thank you Nuria, for your kind review, Sam & Rolf 🙂

Triton figure

26th July 2023

Really happy with my beautiful artefact. Love this business- always friendly and personable. Great swift service too

Johnny

Response from Helios Gallery

Thank you so much Johnny, so pleased you like the lovely chap, Sam and Rolf 🙂

Redfigure Pottery Shard

26th June 2023

Thank you very much for my ancient Greek redfigure shard – communication was excellent and the delivery was very fast!

I am very happy to adding the first ancient piece to my collection!!!

Grace

Response from Helios Gallery

Thank you, Grace, so glad you are happy with your first antiquity.

Amazing antiquities

31st March 2023

These people have become my go-to place for reasonably priced antiquities with excellent provenance. I know I can count on them to be ethical and responsible in our dealings, and my purchases always arrive on time or even early at times.

richard flournoy phd

Response from Helios Gallery

Thank you, Richard, for your kind review, so glad you are pleased with us, we try to have an interesting group of Antiquities for sale. Sam & Rolf

Neolithic flint axe head

5th February 2023

I’m delighted with my purchase, it has exceeded my expectations! The axe head is exactly as described, and was delivered in very safe and secure packaging. Rolf was very courteous and helpful with his communication, which is greatly appreciated. Overall, I am very happy, and I highly recommended Helios Gallery!

Jeremy

Response from Helios Gallery

Thank you Jeremy, really pleased you like the axe head and many thanks for your kind comment, Sam & Rolf

Minoan blossom bowl

6th February 2023

I made my first purchase from Helios 17 years ago and since then I regurlarly buy Greek items with the same pleasure and full confidence. Once again this Minoan bowl is an excellent item ! I also want to warmly thank Rolf for his great support for administrative questions !

J.P. Chappuis

Response from Helios Gallery

Thank you, JP, for another kind comment, we value you as one of our longest established collectors, many thanks Sam and Rolf

👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍

17th January 2023

I bought two exceptionel wonderful greek terracottas.

Fantastic items and fantastic service by the Helios Gallery.

Highly recommended!

Stefan

Response from Helios Gallery

Fab comment Stefan, so glad you love the terracotta’s and thank you for taking the time to leave a review. Sam & Rolf:)