Start with the object
Compare form, dimensions, materials, construction, hardware, glaze, brushwork, and finials with documented examples of the same piece and production period.
Collector due diligence
Authenticity guide
No photograph or marketplace badge can replace careful inspection. Use this checklist as a starting point—not a guarantee.
Read the base
Ask for sharp, well-lit images of marks, stamps, labels, signatures, and any edition numbers. Marks changed over time; one familiar-looking stamp is not enough on its own.
Expect handmade variation
Uneven checks, visible brushwork, glaze variation, and small dimensional differences may be consistent with hand-finishing. Separate those traits from cracks, repairs, replacements, or later repainting.
Ask for provenance
Receipts, original packaging, catalogue references, prior auction records, and a credible ownership history strengthen attribution. Save copies before completing a purchase.
Use protected payment methods
Avoid irreversible transfers to unknown sellers. Read the host marketplace’s buyer-protection rules and keep all descriptions and messages attached to the transaction.