Faberge auctions

[Andrewvarga]

Hi,

I read as much as I could about authenticity of Faberge items and my conclusion is that most of the items that are purchasable below a few thousand dollars are fake.
Does it mean that there is practically no way someone can buy an authentic Faberge (or even Rappoport I.P.) item unless they spend tens of thousands on very established auction houses like Sotheby's?

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Thank you!

[Andrewvarga]

So for example items that usually end up purchased for <2-3000 usd on online auction sites like Invaluable or sites like Etsy, and have the I.P. makers mark are very likely to be fake? I can't really link anything here in particular but a quick search will yield plenty of such example.

Here are a few example photos:

[oel]

Hi Andrew, welcome to the forum.
Fake or Fortune?
Answers you can find in the Russian forum.
viewforum.php?f=46

Peter.

[Andrewvarga]

Hi Andrew, welcome to the forum.
Fake or Fortune?
Answers you can find in the Russian forum.
viewforum.php?f=46

Peter.

Hi Peter,

thank you, the way I see this topic has been moved to that forum now so it's in the correct place? Thank you for that!
Is that in general a good place to ask for advise about some concrete items?
Thanks,
Andrew

[oel]

If you browse the Russian forum, read the topics you will find most of your answers.

For example Russian pseudo ( fake) marks, at auction.
viewtopic.php?f=46&t=39613&p=110020&hil ... on#p110020
Faberge is not for beginners, you need a lot of knowledge and expertise concerning Russian hallmarks. Of course also a fat wallet, or a lot of luck at car boot sales or flea markets and the chances are extremely small. Knowledge is power, that's for sure.

Good luck,



Peter

[Andrewvarga]

If you browse the Russian forum, read the topics you will find most of your answers.

For example Russian pseudo ( fake) marks, at auction.
viewtopic.php?f=46&t=39613&p=110020&hil ... on#p110020
Faberge is not for beginners, you need a lot of knowledge and expertise concerning Russian hallmarks. Of course also a fat wallet, or a lot of luck at car boot sales or flea markets and the chances are extremely small. Knowledge is power, that's for sure.

Good luck,



Peter

Thank you, I'm reading more in these forums. So if my understanding is correct, the images above are very likely to be unauthentic? Or it's not really possible to judge by these photos?

[oel]

The images are authentic, the photographed Faberge(?) items probably not. For example the "Faberge" box looks brand new.
The third images shows forgeries of the Faberge mark and the Russian hallmarks. And yes, it is difficult to judge from photos.

Peter

[Andrewvarga]

The images are authentic, the photographed Faberge(?) items probably not. For example the "Faberge" box looks brand new
The third images shows forgeries of the Faberge mark and the Russian hallmarks. And yes, it is difficult to judge from photos.

Peter

Thank you. How can the forgery be detected? Is it the missing date / Assaying mark, as per this guide?
https://www.925-1000.com/Frussia.html

What is telling about the Agate cat that it's a fake? It looks like it's in a weary box, do people forge those too?
If someone was to buy something like that, are there any ways to authenticate them in Europe if it's not surely a fake?

Is this also missing a few required markings in the bottom?

[Andrewvarga]

I'm seeing your point about the box..I did see some wear on the insole but the box indeed seems too good for a 100+ year old item. I guess it's not realistic a wodden box looks like that after that much time, even if kept safely..

[oel]

The forums are mostly about silver hallmarks and other marks in relation to silver.
Not about items made of semi precious stones.
My advise is to study and or buy the relevant books about Faberge and Russian hallmarks. NB. Information about Russian hallmarks and maker's marks are often written in Cyrillic . Take you time and enjoy your studies.

Peter.

[Andrewvarga]

The forums are mostly about silver hallmarks and other marks in relation to silver.
Not about items made of semi precious stones.
My advise is to study and or buy the relevant books about Faberge and Russian hallmarks. NB. Information about Russian hallmarks and maker's marks are often written in Cyrillic . Take you time and enjoy your studies.

Peter.

Are there some particular books you can recommend?

[oel]

See here:

https://www.925-1000.com/bibliography.html