How to Identify Antique Bronzes?

Speaking of ancient bronzes, I believe that the four-legged tripods in the Xia, Shang and Zhou dynasties come to mind. In fact, bronze ware first appeared in the two river basins of Babylon more than 6,000 years ago. Bronze ware can be said to be a symbol of world civilization. It was not until more than 2,000 years ago that human smelting technology rose and the appearance of iron ware made bronze ware slowly replaced. Bronze with a long history, now also widely loved by collectors. So: how to identify ancient bronzes? Today, Yibojun will explain to you the identification method of ancient bronzes.


1. Look at the rust color

After such a long period of time, there are three ways for bronze ware to be handed down: handed down, buried in the earth and falling into water. Most of the bronzes discovered today are mainly unearthed. The rust color of these ancient bronzes will vary due to the influence of copper, soil and water quality. The most common ones are: green, red, purple, blue rust. Therefore, after we get a bronze ware, we can identify it by judging the rust. Generally speaking, if the rust color can be bonded together with the bronze ware, the depth is the same, and the appearance is smooth and natural, it is a naturally formed rust color, otherwise it is likely to be forged.


2. Listen to the sound

The real bronzeware must not be too light or heavy in weight, which depends on personal experience. Generally speaking, we can identify by the sound made by tapping the object. If the sound is small and crisp, it is true; otherwise, it will emit a "hum" sound, which is likely to be fake.


3. Look at the pattern

In the identification of bronze ware, the pattern can be said to be the most important. Generally speaking, the patterns of the Xia Dynasty are relatively simple; the patterns of the Shang Dynasty are all over the pattern; the early Western Zhou Dynasty is roughly the same as the Shang Dynasty, but it is simple in the later period; in the Spring and Autumn Period and the Warring States Period, the patterns are more life-like, fresh and lively; In the Qin and Han dynasties, bronzes were less particular, with fewer patterns and not as fine as the previous generation. In addition, it can also be judged by the font, the number of inscriptions and the content on the bronze ware. Like the well-known "Qin unified script, general Xiaozhuan", if you find a bronze vessel known as the Xia, Shang and Zhou dynasties engraved with Xiaozhuan, it will be funny.


4. Look at the copper quality

The identification of copper is relatively simple relative to the pattern. Just look at the bottom of the bronze ware, if the dog is made of brass, it is 100% fake; but there is also a phenomenon of forging copper color on the soles of the feet, just brushing with hot alkaline water can reveal the true colors. Of course, the styles and names of the utensils, as well as the bronze wares corresponding to each age, all need to be memorized.

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