Examination of the authenticity (authenticity) of cultural values and antiques

To define the concept of " genuine " in modern domestic literature, four terms are used that define one phenomenon, in particular: "authenticity", "reliability", "authenticity", "documentary". In the English-language literature, there are about 12 terms used to define the phenomenon of the authenticity of historical and cultural monuments. But the main definition among their names is "authenticity".

In Dahl's dictionary, the word: "genuine" is defined as "true", "authenticity" - as "property, state of the present", "original" - as "a thing in the face, as it is made." In the dictionary of S.I. Ozhegova "genuine" - original, not copied. The term "landmark" is used to define a conditional (ie any) object of material culture, which is the bearer of authenticity.

Evaluating works of art and antiques , the expert, first of all, questions how the specified information in the marking, branding, accompanying documentation (if it concerns antiques or museum items) will correspond to its value and how to make sure that the specified characteristics (if they are all indicated) are true and are not falsified.

The technological process of the examination of the authenticity of works of art and antiques can be divided into the following interrelated stages:

1. Structural and technological, chemical analysis of indicators of qualitative, species identification.

At this stage, an expert at the macro level studies the features of the chemical composition, the structure of the parts of the product, claiming to be authentic. At this stage, we find out the facts regarding the content of the metal alloy, its homogeneity, the qualitative and quantitative content of the main components and impurities, the qualitative content of the solder, the type and content of the coating, the nature of tarnishing, the type of corrosion, and the possibility or not the possibility, the specificity or non-specificity of the obtained parameters for the declared time (age, chronological period, place of production, school, master, etc.). If it is possible to make a metal section to study the structure of a sample, the qualitative composition of the phases formed as a result of a certain method of production, long-term storage, corrosion, etc. is studied.

The analysis of the chemical composition of a metal object should be carried out according to the following scheme:

study of the composition of the sample of all detachable and separately manufactured parts
study of the composition of the coating of the product
study of the composition of the solder
study of the homogeneity of a metal alloy, mineral.

Analysis of the structure of the sample should contain the following characteristics: the presence of separate phases, concentration and content of the substance.

2. Analysis of external features of species and stylistic identification. At this stage, the actual signs of appearance are analyzed, and assumptions are made as to whether the sign corresponds to our ideas about the possibility of its appearance in the corresponding historical era, or whether this product is a work of art of the corresponding firm, master. The analysis is done according to the following criteria:

type and form of construction
the method of obtaining the form and the method of finishing
individual techniques of the artist's work and signs of the firm
combination of various signs and marks (stamps, signatures, etc.)
the presence of late non-author's interventions - restoration, soldering
the presence of additional elements of the product that do not correspond to the main composition and shape
type of cutting of precious stones, technique and style of execution of gums, cameos
type of embrace of stones, wicker of chains, type of fastening, connections.

3. Analysis of indicators of stylistic identification. This stage characterizes the possibility of studying the plot and the type of composition, form, ornament, etc., and also notes the possibility of combining them in a product in the corresponding historical era and connects them with the historical and cultural traditions of the nation and people.

The analysis of the indicators of the examination of authenticity gives an idea of their influence on the formation of value and the definition of consumer value.

For example, the presence of a brand of a well-known company on it significantly increases the cost of a product.

The issue of establishing the authenticity of works of art and antiques today is already emerging in our society more acutely, they receive legislative support from the state and therefore require scientific substantiation. According to the Law of Ukraine "On Protection of Consumer Rights" (Articles 12-14) and guided by the Rules of Trade in Jewelry, Antique Goods, sellers must ensure 100% acceptance of goods in terms of quality, that is, take responsibility for the sale of quality goods, provide an opportunity for the consumer to check for devices, the main properties of the authenticity of the product (brand, sample, nature of the stones), and if necessary (conflict situations, uncertainty or confirmation of the authenticity of the goods), know where it is possible to conduct an examination of works of art and antiques, or provide qualified advice on the age of products, their historical and artistic value.

Note that the determination of the authenticity of works of art and antiques is not only purely consumer interest, but also associated with legal responsibility before the law, if it concerns falsification or deception.

Determining the authenticity of an object is based, first of all, on identifying the "original", i.e. its authenticity, provides for the study of properties confirming that the product is not falsified - a copy of the signs, it is necessary to establish the identity or similarity with the existing prototypes of the corresponding period by elements of similarity and not only of the technical - technological direction, or a fake. These studies are the subject of an examination of authenticity and also include criteria and indicators that are not related to technical and materials science expertise.

The final conclusion about the authorship, authenticity and stylistic features of the product is provided on the basis of a comparison of the results of attribution and technical and technological expertise. The expert opinion notes the reliability of the object, the author, chronological affiliation.

Based on the above procedures for the examination of cultural values, the following should be noted, firstly, the final conclusion about the authenticity of the object of examination should be made by an expert, but it is not clear what specialty: art critic, technologist, historian. Secondly, comparison can be made based on characteristics or characteristics related to the same species. It is impossible to compare the style and chemical composition of the product.

Based on accurate attribution, i.e. the chronological affiliation and geography of existence, and the conclusion about its authenticity, conduct a marketing analysis of the market, which gives an idea of the market value of the product at the time of the examination.

Let us give a logical and meaningful interpretation of the expert criteria that determine the authenticity of the product and assess the consumer value.

The presence of signs and marks is an expert criterion of authenticity, which increases the consumer value due to the information available on the product, which indicates the year and age of manufacture, the name and surname of the master, the place of manufacture, etc. Branding and marking are assessed on the basis of the form of the stamp, the relative position of signs, marks in the stamp, their decoding, the number of stamps, the method and place of its application, according to the time of its manufacture and the practice of their use in jewelry.
The compliance of the quality characteristics of precious materials (features) with the established requirements is an expert criterion of authenticity, which increases the consumer value of the product due to the fact that the information obtained by the laboratory method on the quality indicators of materials confirms their value.
Correspondence of the characteristics of the manufacturing method to the time of creation is an expert criterion of authenticity, which increases the consumer value of the product by directly establishing the correspondence of technological characteristics of manufacturing to the time of creation. That is, the data obtained in the process of organoleptic and analytical research regarding the manufacturing method, finishing methods and design of the product do not contradict the practice of their use in the corresponding era, but the use of appropriate methods of joining, setting stones (solders, riveting, mechanical joints, type of setting, type of cutting ) occur using materials and shapes similar in composition.
Correspondence of the quality characteristics of materials to the time of creation is an expert criterion of authenticity, which increases the consumer value of a product by directly establishing the compliance of indicators for the quality of materials with developed traditions, the level of production technology and the norms of their use on the corresponding day. For example, the use of appropriate samples, the composition of the alloy, solder, the type of cut, the method of refining, improving the properties of stones (heat treatment, oiling, impregnation, radiation treatment, etc.).
Safety of use is an expert criterion of authenticity, which increases the consumer value of products through the use of precious materials, solders, other alloys, types of finishing and processing of precious alloys and precious stones that are safe for human health.

In conclusion, we note that when evaluating jewelry , the correct assessment of the information obtained is gaining importance for its further valuation and use. For this purpose, we have developed a system for assessing the indicators of authenticity, which can be determined by the totality of actually obtained data. As the final result of the actually obtained conclusion about the authenticity, you can take the measure of determining the authenticity, which is defined as:

High (or almost certain original, or almost certain copy, falsified copy, imitation, falsified imitation, complete forgery);
Medium (probable original, etc., if it is similar to the manner of a certain master, but due to insufficient high level of product performance, in the presence of false brands, signatures, individual stylistic and chemical-technological inconsistencies);
Low (the original is possible, etc. - with the above factors, but reinforced by the poor state of preservation of the product or the absence or insufficiency of products for comparison).

That is, the output is like this: