Practical help for anyone who buys, keeps or values art and antiques: how to tell real from fake, how prices and auctions work, how to check metals and coins, and where to see great examples in person.
Buy wisely: how to spot the real thing
Handloom or Powerloom? How to Tell Handwoven Cloth from Machine-MadeSigns in the weave, the selvedge and official marks.Real Bandhani or Printed? How to Spot Hand-Tied Tie-DyeWhat hand-tied dots look and feel like.Hand-Painted or Printed? How to Tell an Original Indian Folk Painting from a PrintBrush marks, materials and GI tags.Is It Real Silver? Purity Grades and Hallmarks ExplainedFineness numbers, hallmarks and their limits.Old or Made to Look Old? Spotting Fake Ageing in AntiquesWear, patina and paperwork.
Prices, auctions and investing
What Makes A Painting Expensive?What drives the price of a painting.The Phenomenon of Rising Bid Values in Indian Art AuctionsWhy bids at Indian art auctions keep rising.Art as an Investment: A Timeless Asset for Wealth GrowthBenefits and risks of art as an asset.Auction Total Cost CalculatorHammer price plus premium and taxes.Art Investment Return CalculatorYearly return after all costs.
Coins, metals and purity
How to identify if an ancient coin is fake?Checks for fake ancient coins.Silver CraftIndia’s silver craft traditions.Antique Coin Density CalculatorDensity from weight in air and water.Gold and Silver Purity CalculatorKarat and fineness conversions.
Framing, shipping and seeing art
Frame and Mat Size CalculatorMat, glass and moulding sizes.Shipping Volumetric Weight CalculatorWhat a courier will charge for.India’s Timeless Heritage: Most Precious and Oldest MuseumsIndia’s oldest and most precious museums.Where to See ItMuseums and craft villages by art form.
Words collectors use
Provenance Patina Hallmark Hammer price Buyer’s premium Numismatics Karat Sterling silver