Is it real? Start with the evidence.
Use the analysis to decide what needs a closer look. A convincing appearance and a familiar signature are clues to investigate, not a certificate of authenticity.
Read the observation.
Keep the question open.
Curiosa examines your photographs and the context you supply. The result may point to a copied mark, an unexpected construction detail or a proposed date that deserves checking.
Show the details that matter ↗- Check the starting identity
- A wrong maker or edition can make an ordinary object look inconsistent. Confirm what the analysis is comparing before interpreting a risk indication.
- Look at what is visible
- Surface wear and marks may be photographed. Metal purity, gemstone origin, hidden repairs and material chemistry cannot be established from a normal photograph.
- Bring the documents
- Record invoices, labels and known ownership history. Documents need checking too; a story attached to an object is not automatically its provenance.
Objects with open questions
Public records with visual risk indications. These are examples to explore, not confirmed fakes.
Tang-Style Sancai Glazed Ceramic Horse
Botanical Still Life Wall Hanging (Print on Aged Paper)
Portrait of King Henry VIII, after Hans Holbein the Younger
Blue and White Guan-style Jar with Figural Narrative
Byzantine Link Bracelet with Textured Oval Connectors
Blue and White Dragon Meiping Vase (Ming Style Reproduction)
Famille Rose Peacock Decorative Bowl with Apocryphal Kangxi Mark
Manner of Rembrandt van Rijn - A Young Woman Sleeping, Pen and Brush in Bistre (Ink Wash Drawing)
Chinese Blue and White Reticulated Incense Burner
Chinese Blue and White 'Meiping' Vase with Figurative Scene
Sancai-style Glazed Ceramic Horse
Collection of Five Flintlock Pistols
37–48 of 123 objectsPage 4 of 11
A few practical questions
Can Curiosa tell me for certain that an object is real?
No. It can suggest an identification and highlight visible inconsistencies. Authentication may require physical examination, provenance research or specialist testing.
What does a high risk indication mean?
It means the analysis found reasons to question the suggested identity or attribution. It is not proof of a forgery, and the assessment may be wrong.
Is a risk score the probability that my object is fake?
No. Treat it as an indication to investigate, not a statistically calibrated probability. The photographs, context and starting attribution all affect the assessment.
Does a low risk indication authenticate an object?
No. An absence of visible warning signs does not establish authenticity. A convincing reproduction or a hidden alteration may not be apparent in photographs.
What should I do next if I am unsure?
Keep the original photographs and any documents. Ask the seller about the attribution and ownership history, then consult a specialist in the relevant maker, material or collecting category when needed.
Have something you want to understand?
Start with a clear photograph and the details you know.