Modern Reproductions

In the past few decades many of the 19th century bronzes have been copied by foundries in Mexico, Thailand, Pakistan and most recently China to meet the needs of the home decoration market. Unfortunately some of the foundries that are manufacturing reproductions will place another artist's name on a work in order to give it a greater interest than it would otherwise have.  This would make the bronze in question a total fake as the artist whose name appears on the work never did the sculpture.  Some of these modern reproductions are not even done from the artist's work but are entirely new fabrications made to reflect a similarity to the artist's original sculpture, taken from a photograph in a book, some are surmoulages, none are made from the artist's master model.  Many of the foundries making modern reproductions do very good work. The problem arises when these modern reproductions are resold and represented as original works of art. These modern reproductions have only a nominal decorative value just as any reproduction or copy would have. The new prices for these reproduction bronzes reflect this purely decorative value.  You should be able to purchase a reproduction, whether it is a painting, a piece of furniture, or a bronze, for a small fraction of what an original work of art sells for.  Reproductions do not increase in value like original art does.  A used reproduction may have a minimal value but will never increase in value. To avoid being sold a reproduction or worse yet, a fake, purchase art only from a respected and reputable dealer who will give a written guarantee of the art that they sell.  If a seller is unwilling to give you a written guarantee do not purchase from then. There is nothing worse than finding out later that the art you purchased and have been living with is worthless.

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