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Overview Since 1478, the hallmark has included a distinctive date letter indicating the year of hallmarking. Consequently, there has been a temptation for centuries to make an article appear older than it is by using counterfeit punches, or by transferring a genuine hallmark from an antique article into a more modern article. This is an offence under the Hallmarking Act 1973. It is also an offence under the Act to alter a hallmarked article without the written permission of any Assay Office. Articles which have been altered legitimately bear an 'additions' mark, indicating the year of alteration.  Antique Plate Committee The Antique Plate Committee (APC) examines suspect silver articles and advises Assay Office London on the genuineness of the hallmark and whether there has been an illegal alteration or addition. Each article is given a case number. Makeup of the Committee The APC, organized by Assay Office London, meets approximately quarterly. It comprises 10 members who bring expertise in antique silver from a variety of perspectives; dealers, academics and collectors are all represented. Members of the APC serve for a fixed term. The APC is supported by an extended panel of volunteers who help report and inspect potential problems in the trade. Procedure An article may be submitted to the APC free of charge. A receipt and a Notice of Procedure are issued. The latter describes in detail the treatment of unauthorised marks. The APC considers the article through a combination of objective scientific testing and connoisseurship. Discrete samples may be taken in order to establish the approximate age of the article by spectrographic analysis. Other non-destructive scientific methods, and comparison with genuine hallmarks of the period may be used in order to assist the Committee in reaching its decision. The Committee's decision is final. Treatment of Unauthorised Marks Section 7 of the Hallmarking Act 1973 specifies how an Assay Office must deal with unauthorised marks and unauthorised alterations and additions. Depending upon the age of the article, the unauthorised marks will either be cancelled, or obliterated. The owner then has the option of submitting it for hallmarking as a new article, and being charged accordingly, or having it marked with LAO and the case number. Informing the Owner The owner, or person appearing to have control of the article, is informed by a letter from the Assay Office of the decision of Committee. This may be a simple statement that the article complies with the Hallmarking Act 1973. For articles which do not comply with the Act, the treatment of the marks, and the subsequent options are specified. Ashley-Russell Case Last September, Mr Peter Ashley-Russell was sentenced to three years' imprisonment for offences under the Forgery Act 2006, in a case involving hallmarking deception. The Goldsmiths' Company played an active role in authenticating confiscated exhibits and providing expert evidence in this landmark trial. Read about it here. Fakes and Forgeries Seminars
The seminar comprises a morning session which explores the definition of a fake, current legislation, the operation of the antique plate committee and culminates with a perspective on detecting fakes from a renowned expert in the field of antique silver. The afternoon sessions provide an exclusive opportunity for participants to handle spurious articles from the Assay Office’s Black Museum, the largest known collection of fake silver worldwide. Acclaimed silver specialists lead table discussions and train participants’ connoisseurship in the identification of fakes and forgeries. Each table provides unique examples of fakes, including such common examples of spoons converted into forks, transposed marks and articles made from base metal. In addition, examples that continue to perplex experts are discussed, thereby ensuring that all levels of expertise benefit from the handling sessions.
By completing the seminar, both participants’ background knowledge and their connoisseurship skills are strengthened.
Assay Office London's famous 'Fakes and Forgeries Seminars' have been held at many international destinations including New York, Williamsburg, Toronto and Edinburgh. Details of upcoming dates are listed below. FAKES AND FORGERIES SEMINAR Keynote Speaker: Alastair Dickenson Lyn Mills Tel:+44 (0)20 7367 9006
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