Forensic experts developing system to identify fake art

Forensic experts at Cranfield University have collaborated with global auctioneer Bonhams, which will define the practical issues and provide access to core material data.

Colin Sheaf, a Chinese art specialist and chairman of Bonhams’ Asia said: ‘For decades we have sought a forensic technology that will easily and reliably address the authenticity problems generated by 30 years of relentless faking of expensive Chinese ceramics.’

Chinese art, and particularly imperial antique porcelain, has become one of the largest sectors of the global art market in recent years. While prices have soared, so have the ambitions of highly accomplished and technically astute fakers.

Methods do exist to distinguish the genuine antiques from the fakes, but the technology used by auction houses is more than 40 years’ old, invasive and no longer entirely trustworthy, according to Bonham.

Forensic scientists are often able to identify small differences in very rare elements in an object that can reveal information about an object’s place and sometimes date of origin, provided a good database already exists for similar objects. Indeed, trace element analysis is regularly used in many kinds of detective work, such as researching crime scene evidence.