A few rules for identifying imitations and falsifications

Here are a few rules of thumb for identifying certain imitations and falsifications (the latter referring to porcelain passed off as Sèvres productions).

A Manufacture de Sèvres production must present:

A lovely white paste and a glaze (a transparent, shiny outer layer) that is very fine, allowing one to admire all the detail work.
- Sèvres plates were turned up until 1842 with a flat bottom; they were not calibrated until 1842 and then bear on the back raised-relief rings beneath the enamel.
- Clear, fair and clean colours, with carefully painted designs and motifs (even on the back). No lazily painted landscapes using dirty colours.
- Pure, brilliant, 24-carat gold. Never an alloy containing a lesser quality metal, creating relief and a matt appearance.
- The decorative style must perfectly suit the object’s form.