In this instance there is a Sunderland lustre who over-paints the items and has represented them as in original condition. Some of the paint is household paint and is done in colors the Victorians would not have used. The collectors and experts complained about the seller with no luck, who it seems occasional will state the items have been restored. What they did was to post similar items which would come up in the same search with tips on what to look for in fakes and repainted items. The ATG article has some good inspection tips. Although, in looking at the repainted and embellished plates, I wonder how any collector, even a novice could think they were not overly restored. The eBay tips seem to be working.
The ATG reports
To read the full ATG article, click HERE.EBay have also been presented with this information but have taken no action against a seller who apparently has an exemplary record as the vendor of more than 400 items. His 100 per cent feedback is full of glowing comments from buyers who are clearly unaware the items they purchased may have been embellished. “People who don’t know they’ve been duped leave positive comments,” said Mr Smith.
When the seller recently listed four more over-painted items, eBay buyers took matters into their own hands by setting up a new eBay account and posting a £0.01, entitled Fake Sunderland Lustre plaque information only, that appears beside the suspect items in the search lists.
EBay allowed the information listing to run, which gives pointers about identifying recent over-painting on items of lustreware. It has received many voices of support, through the ‘ask a question’ feature on the listing – and also appears to be having the desired effect. A Sunderland pink lustre wall plaque with a maritime verse c.1840 with notes stating that the “condition is outstanding” failed to make its opening bid of £25, prompting 1079edmund to withdraw two of his over-painted items. Moreover, two previously satisfied buyers have left follow-up comments about over-painting to their originally positive feedback.
1 comment:
Todd, I love this article. That's what this business used to be about. Though it is good to complain to the "head" of a company when something is an obvious and repeated fake. It makes more of an impact to inform, educate and fellowship with other collectors, and say "Hey I think that this is strange or not right." And yes, sometimes even seasoned dealers can get hood winked and they (should) appreciate a quick education. But repeat offenders in the trafficing of fake antiques should not be allowed to continue unharrassed. They need to know that we will report them and continue to educate collectors. This field can not stumble on this one. Fakes have already caused massive damage.
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