Scientific Investigation of Copies, Fakes and Forgeries / Edition 1

by Paul Craddock

Overview

The faking and forgery of works of art and antiquities is probably now more extensive than ever before. The frauds are aided by new technologies, from ink jet printers to epoxy resins, and driven by the astronomic prices realised on the global market.

This book aims to provide a comprehensive survey of the subject over a wide range of materials, emphasising how the fakes and forgeries are produced and how they may be detected by technical and scientific examination. The subject is exemplified by numerous case studies, some turning out not to be as conclusive as is sometimes believed.

The book is aimed at those likely to have a serious interest in these investigations, be they curator, collector, conservator or scientist.

Paul Craddock has recently retired from the Department of Conservation, Documentation and Science at the British Museum, where he was a materials scientist.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780750642057
Publisher:	Taylor & Francis
Publication date:	01/19/2009
Pages:	640
Product dimensions:	7.60(w) x 9.70(h) x 1.40(d)

About the Author

Paul Craddock

Table of Contents

Foreword vii

Acknowledgements ix

Key to acronyms xi

1 Introduction: Sources, motives, approaches and disclosures 1

2 Physical examination I: Observation 22

3 Physical examination II: Determining composition 40

4 Making a three-dimensional copy 61

5 Physical dating techniques I: Radiocarbon dating 87

6 Physical dating techniques II: Thermoluminescence and dendrochronology 110

7 Metals I: Composition 137

8 Metals II: Metalwork and coins 157

9 Ceramics 186

10 Glass and enamels 210

11 Stone and sculpture 242

12 Painting 271

13 Paper, prints and documents 313

14 The patination of copper and its alloys 349

15 Gold and silver 369

16 Gemstones and jade 394

17 Organic materials: Mainly natural 422

18 Organic materials: Mainly synthetic and cloth 447

19 Scientific fraud and Charles Dawson 471

20 Conservation and concealment: The problems of restoration 497

Bibliography 525

Index 595