A Quick Guide To Authenticating Ancient Glass

Ancient glass has a rich albeit intriguing history behind it. There are several ways that one can authenticate ancient glass personally before seeking professional services. Here are some of them:

Surface iridescence typically forms in layers and forms skins like an onion. Thus if one tries to dislodge it, it should flake instead of crumble, although there are exceptions to the rule. The colors in the iridescence should flow akin to colors in a petrol spill in a puddle, unless it’s a modern glass covered with portions of genuine ancient iridescence.

Image source: AARF.com 

The right chemical reactions can pave the way for iridescence to form even in less than 100 years in natural soil conditions, so it’s not a foolproof guarantee of authenticity. But this also means that a piece devoid of iridescence isn’t necessarily fake.

Glass can be cleverly restored or repaired, so do this test carefully: run a very hot pin embedded in a heat-proof handle over sections that look suspicious. The glass will not melt, while glue and resin will emit fumes and smoke. Again, do this carefully so as not to damage the item.

Multicolored glass items are heavily faked these days, too. Authentic ones will erode at various rates, with different colors containing different chemicals that will react at varying speeds with chemicals in the soil more than 2,000 years of age. If the erosion appears even, it may be fake.

Image source: Wikimedia.org 

There is an abundance of copyists of ancient glass around the world today. These fakers, however, do not have enough time and attention to detail to imitate the signs of age produced by wear, corrosions, and deposits, which when examined by an expert eye will give away its true nature. Still, be very meticulous in checking and researching.

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