Learning about ribbon bars - just like any other field - takes years, and includes getting help from multiple sources, insight from advanced collectors, and exposure to numerous genuine examples. Anything less is unrealistically optimistic.
I agree that this example is put-together, and I don't think it's even remotely clean enough from a construction perspective to be a presentation or sales sample - even if every component had been original.
Keep in mind that originality of antiques of any kind often see differences of opinion from advanced collectors. Who is right or wrong? You have to imagine that there are legitimately period things that get impugned as fakes, and vice versa. It's the nature of the hobby. So ultimately it is incumbent on the buyer to do his due diligence before buying. Sometimes it comes down to a feeling based upon experience.
While this particular bar was put together and built to deceive by someone, I don't think it's fair to blame a particular vendor. There's no evidence that they've intended to sell something that they knew was not legitimate.
This is the problem with not having a narrow focus, whether collector or dealer. One cannot know or learn everything there is to know. So we as buyers should consider that and tread carefully when adding things to our collections.
J-
I agree that this example is put-together, and I don't think it's even remotely clean enough from a construction perspective to be a presentation or sales sample - even if every component had been original.
Keep in mind that originality of antiques of any kind often see differences of opinion from advanced collectors. Who is right or wrong? You have to imagine that there are legitimately period things that get impugned as fakes, and vice versa. It's the nature of the hobby. So ultimately it is incumbent on the buyer to do his due diligence before buying. Sometimes it comes down to a feeling based upon experience.
While this particular bar was put together and built to deceive by someone, I don't think it's fair to blame a particular vendor. There's no evidence that they've intended to sell something that they knew was not legitimate.
This is the problem with not having a narrow focus, whether collector or dealer. One cannot know or learn everything there is to know. So we as buyers should consider that and tread carefully when adding things to our collections.
J-
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