Guide
Is my African art authentic?
In African art, 'authentic' usually means made by an artist for use in his or her community – not for sale to outsiders. Copies and artificially aged pieces are produced in large numbers. These checks catch most of them.
1. Is my African art authentic? Look where hands and faces touched it
Real use leaves wear in logical places: the rim and inside of a mask, the handles of a stool, the high points of a figure that was held. Wear that is spread evenly everywhere, or sits in places nobody would touch, suggests artificial ageing.
2. Read the surface
An old surface is built up in layers: pigments, oils, smoke, dust, handling. It is often uneven. A uniform black coat – frequently shoe polish or paint – that rubs off on a cloth is a classic sign of a faked patina.
3. Look into the cracks
If the wood inside a crack, a chip or under the base is pale and fresh, the 'age' is only on the surface. Mud or dirt pressed into crevices is another common trick.
4. Check the tool marks
Traditional carvers worked with adzes and knives, leaving small facets. Perfectly smooth surfaces, rotary-tool marks and machine-straight edges point to modern production.
5. Weigh it in your hands
Old wood that has dried for decades is often lighter than it looks; freshly carved hardwood tends to be heavy. This is a hint, not proof – some woods are naturally dense.
6. Be wary of 'too perfect' damage
Insect holes drilled in straight lines, burns, and 'old' repairs with new nails are common fakes. Genuine insect damage meanders and often follows the grain.
7. Compare with documented examples
Museum collections and the catalogues of specialist auctions show what well-documented pieces of a type look like. Stiff, exaggerated or mixed features are a warning sign.
8. Ask for the history
Provenance is the strongest support for authenticity. A piece offered as 'very old' without any history deserves caution – read why provenance matters.
Still unsure whether your African art is authentic? Upload photos of the front, back, inside or base for a free estimate – it flags typical signs of tourist art and artificial ageing.
Frequently asked questions
Can a photo prove that a mask is authentic?
No. Photos can reveal warning signs and promising features, but only an examination by an experienced specialist – ideally together with documented provenance – can support an attribution.
Is a piece made for sale worthless?
Not necessarily. Some objects made for outsiders, for example by named workshops or for colonial-era collectors, have their own market. But they are valued differently from objects made for use.
Can scientific tests date wood?
Radiocarbon dating can help for older pieces, but it dates the tree, not the carving, and is imprecise for the last few centuries. Thermoluminescence is used for terracotta.
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