posted on September 10, 2000 07:32:20 AM new
I purchased a lying spaniel dog piece as Staffordshire for resale. However, now I have found out there are reproductions and that some even come with crazing finish included! How can I tell if mine is the real thing? Any help would be appreciated, I don't want to misrepresent anything.
posted on September 10, 2000 07:43:47 AM newhammerchick
You could do a search at this link below to see if the same item you have is being sold and the pictures should tell you if you have a repo or not. Hope this helps.
posted on September 10, 2000 09:00:22 AM new
It's not that hard to get a ceramic item to craze. All you have to do is take it out of the kiln while it is still real hot.
We do it when we fire Raku all the time.
posted on September 10, 2000 09:20:39 AM new
Someplace, in some antiques website, there is a regularly-updated list of knockoffs and fakes that have come onto the market.
Damned if I can remember where it is now, of course.
Knockoffs of Staff dogs - and Staff "fairings" are, so I understand, regularly made, mostly in China, and some of the repros are really good.
posted on September 10, 2000 01:27:56 PM new
I knew of a dealer in Eastern Canada that used to travel to England on a regular basis.
One of the dealers he knew in the UK would make thousands of Staff Dogs every week. As soon as they came out of the kiln & slightly cooled he would drop them into a vat of cool tea water. They crazed & stained & looked very similar to one a 100 years old, instantly.
This was in the 1960's. I imagine many other Staff pieces were being forged at that time using the same methods.
The ones that are being made today in China are pathetic copies.
