Don’t Fall for a Fake Antique—Pros Share How to Spot Real From Fake

Antiques—not to be confused with vintage items—are a beautiful way to decorate your home with historical charm, but finding real pieces can be a challenge in today’s market if you don’t know what to look for.

It’s not uncommon to end up with a fake version of a beloved antique after months and months of searching, which is why we took matters into our own hands and asked three thrifting pros for their best expert tricks on searching for real antiques over fake ones.

Here, we share the six best tips you should use on your next shopping trip.

Read Up on Antiquing

According to our experts, the best place to start when scouting for real antiques is to know what you’re looking for with the help of books, which also makes beautiful decor themselves.

“The best advice for someone looking for antiques would be to start reading books on furniture and learning about different styles, periods, and what distinguishes genuine pieces from reproductions,” Willow Wright, the owner of Urban Redeux, says.

Reading on how to search for antiques not only gives you insight into specific pieces from certain time periods, but you get to learn more from the pros on their best tips for spotting a real versus an antique. If you’re an antiquing beginner, this method can be incredibly beneficial for learning more about antique materials, finishes, and details that set them apart from fake counterparts.

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Observe Special Details

Because antiques are old (in a good way), they come with special details that confirm their exclusivity if you know the special details to spot.

“When buying furniture, look for details like dovetailing, square nails, and roughly hewn undersides that denote handmade,” Jennifer L. Prince, the owner of It’s FOUND Vintage, says. “Old pottery crocks and jugs tend to be slightly uneven or even have indentations on the inside that indicate a human hand made them instead of just being mass-produced via a mold.”

According to Reyne Hirsch, the owner of Dallas Auction Gallery, if you’re looking for antique paintings, she recommends checking out the back of the piece. Try to see what kind of materials are being used to hold the canvas in place and what the weight and quality are like, Hirsch says.

Trust Your Intuition

In a world of massive reproduction, don’t overlook that gut feeling you may get when searching for real antiques. If something is feeling off to you when thrifting, trust your intuition and never be scared to pass up on a sketchy piece.

Since reproductions are everywhere, if the price looks too good to be true, it’s probably fake, Hirsch says.

Unfortunately, other than the specific pieces you’re thinking of buying, sometimes the dealers themselves need to be evaluated as to whether or not they are legit and offering real pieces. Always ask the dealer questions on possible repairs (and ask to see proof, while you’re at it), the piece’s origin, and extra information they can tell you about the items. If they seem less than knowing, that might be an indication you don’t want to overlook.

Look for Authenticity

One of the biggest giveaways that an antique is real is that it’ll come with a signature maker’s mark somewhere on the item. Depending on what the item is you’re searching for, you can find these marks on the underside or backside.

Don’t Be Afraid to Research

Think you may have found the real deal but aren’t 100% sure? Prince says it’s completely okay to whip out your favorite search engine to double-check the piece’s time period marks.

“The one big benefit nowadays is having a mini-computer in your pocket,” Prince says. “Make sure you have Google Lens on your phone, which is such a help to me. I’ve learned so much about an item on the fly that way. A quick scan helps to determine the time period, maker, and if there are any fakes out there.”

Only Shop At Trusted Stores

Since antiques can be found everywhere, Hirsch recommends buying from a reputable dealer or looking for shops that have been in the business for a long time. If they specialize in a certain era of antiques you’re looking for, even better.

While it’s good to know that there are several places nearby to help you find your next antique, Wright says there’s one thing you need to do before going shopping.

“The key to finding valuable items lies in having some education in the area,” she says. “To discover the best pieces, you must know what you’re looking for. Buyers and collectors have a certain responsibility to be knowledgeable about their interests.”