TERRACOTTA ARTEFACTS IS THERMOLUMINESCENCE ANALYSIS SUFFICIENT FOR AUTHENTICATION?
Keywords:
terracotta artefacts, authentication, counterfeiting methods, 3D‐computer tomography, binding agent test, ceramic fingerprintAbstract
In the last ten to twenty years, an increased number of ceramic objects regarded as ancient from the accompanying thermoluminescence analysis test certificates have come out of China and into the art market. However, further testing has shown that in many cases they are recent products. The counterfeiting methods used are numerous, usually in the form of sculptures that consist of old and new parts, or that have been recently carved from an old, plain and worthless fired artefact are as frequently encountered as objects that have been made from a mixture of pulverized antique ceramics and modern binding agents. The paper describes methods for the uncovering of such fakes.
