www.IvoryAuthenticityAndAge.com (last update: 01/04/2008)
 

Fondazione Gottfried Matthaes
 

Determining the authenticity and age of Ivory

Good news for friends of antique objects of art:
Ivory is datable!
 From the beginning of human culture up to now

  
   


The spectroscopic analysis is the scientific method most widely used since decades in research and chemical industry. Its reliability and precision make it essential for the quality control of pharmaceutical products, foodstuffs etc. For antique objects of art it allows the recognition of materials,  the precise dating of wood and from now on the dating of all types of ivory.
 

Ivory object, Africa

Buddha temple, China
     

The term “ivory” comprises today not only elephant tusks, but also the tusks and horns of other animals and some types of bones. What distinguishes all types of ivory are their hardness, compactness, brilliance and durability, characteristics due to their chemical composition.
For the most part ivory is made up of inorganic substances like phosphate and calcium fluoride, the age of which is not measurable. There is also a presence of organic substances which undergo change with the passage of time following biological laws.

Figure 1


Up to now it has been possible to determine their age only by the radiocarbon method, the advantages and limits of which are well-known.Infrared spectroscopic analysis identifies the molecules present in ivory enabling the inorganic substances to be clearly distinguished from the organic ones (Fig.1). For organic substances it is possible to apply focused analytical methods to selected and measurable molecules.

 

The spectroscopic curve permits the unmistakable recognition of the various kinds of ivory and therefore the elaboration of specific calculations for the dating of each type (Fig.2).

The calculation of the age is based, as for the dating of wood, on the programmed decay of organic substances in course of decades and centuries. This decay is shown on the spectrum. The theory of this method is described in the website www.SpectroscopyforArt.com.
 
 

Figure 2

  

Figure 3


A long time and a great number of objects were required to draw up the tables whereby curve frequencies could be transformed into an object’s age in years (Fig.3). Accuracy is currently about +/- 25 years for items made in the last five centuries, with a growing margin of error for older objects. The present tables may be extended and improved in the future as far as precision is concerned.  The radiocarbon method is valid for the dating of objects of more than 500 years.

The application of spectroscopic analysis for the dating of organic materials is patented
(It. Patent Nr. 01266808 - G. Matthaes, 1993)

Further information on spectroscopic analysis.

This scientific analytical tool is used in an identical manner in many fields, for example for pharmaceutical and chemical products, for research etc. and, in the art field, for pigments, glues, woods, patina, amber, encrustations on excavated objects and so on. Therefore the instructions for taking samples, dating procedures and relatively low prices are similar to those indicated on our website.

Important! The molecules constituting ivory cells are not protected by walls like wood cells. Ivory samples for dating need to be appropriately stabilized immediately after they are taken.


Instructions on how to take ivory samples for dating

A)        The ivory object is sent or brought directly to the laboratory of the Museum in Milan. This procedure allows to take the sample with the minimum and invisible damage.
B)        The ivory sample is taken by the owner of the object. For the dating we need a minimal fragment of ivory (10 mm3 volume - mm 3x3x1) which can be taken from the edge or a corner of the object with a very sharp knife or a small coping saw.
 


The obtained fragment must be put into a piece of paper, to be folded carefully and mailed directly to the Museum laboratory. Price for one measurement: 95 Euros, $ 125.

 

 

 

 

Museo d'Arte e Scienza

Formerly The Art Collector's Museum
 Gottfried Matthaes Foundation - Milan
 

Worldwide the unique museum dedicated to
the ascertainment of authenticity of antique objects of art
 

Over 2,000 items are on display in the Museum's 18 rooms covering the main sectors of antiques.
A modern scientific laboratory as well as interactive test stations are at the disposal of visitors.
 

test station room 8:
sniff test on excavated pottery

test station room 9:
test for revealing use of plastic

identification of glues and other synthetic materials with Wood’s light

test station room 9: examination with a magnifying glass of signs of wear and decorations on china
 

 

optical examination of signs of wear to identify an authentic piece of silverware

shadow reveals industrial or handcrafted manufacture of glass

the microscope distinguishes authentic patinas and encrustations from faked ones

the dull sound of a porcelain item reveals hidden restoration work

 

 Via Q. Sella, 4 -20121 Milano -  Piazza Castello

Opening hours: Mon-Fri: 10-18       Entrance: Euro 8 - reduced Euro 4
For Information: Tel:+390272022488. Fax:+390272023156.  e-mail: info@museoartescienza.com

 

 

 

Acknowledged value
of the museum’s scientific laboratory and its methods
for determining authenticity


 

Attitudes towards and use of scientific methods are influenced by local laws and customs.

Basis of judgment: the situation in Italy (where the museum is located)

The prime institution for the fight against forgery and imitations is the Guardia di Finanza or Financial Police. The most recent catalogue on the determination of authenticity in art, published by the same in June 2007, contains an exclusive six-page presentation of the scientific laboratory of the Museo d’Arte e Scienza in which its methods for dating paintings, furniture, and objects in ivory and other materials are illustrated in detail and their validity, in effect, endorsed.

 Judicial proceedings. The probatory value of the spectroscopic dating method is crucial to the outcome of civil and penal judgments involving the determination of the actual age of art works.

The art market: the percentage of unauthentic art works currently on the market is very high. As a consequence a section of the trade rejects scientific methods out of economic necessity. Furthermore, when dating tests give negative results, dealers often tend to maintain that it is not the art work that is at fault but the scientific test result, or that the method is unknown!!

 Art lovers and investors. Copies and fakes will continue to be offered as originals as long as buyers of art refuse to follow the same line of conduct adopted when acquiring other “products”, that is to say insisting on a dependable guarantee of the object’s authenticity as the condition for its purchase. It is senseless to content oneself with the personal opinions of experts alone in this age of technology and science. The art market will become trustworthy only when the art lover becomes a connoisseur and, as envisaged by the law, demands a valid certificate.
  

 

 

 

 

 

A scientific laboratory at the service of art

The Museum laboratory’s mission is to improve existing scientific methods and elaborate new methods for the ascertainment of the authenticity of art objects. The laboratory’s instruments and knowhow for the determining of authenticity are at the disposal of collectors, art experts, restorers, art galleries and museums.
(The staff of the laboratory, who speaks the main European languages, is at your disposal for any explanations).
 

The laboratory of the Museum of Art and Science is a no profit facility
and is independent from every point of view.

 

Tests carried out by the laboratory:

Spectroscopic dating and characterization of wooden objects

Microscopic tests on paintings, antique bronzes, excavated pottery etc.

Examination of underlying layers using infrared reflectography

Analyses of paint layers with a duroflexometer

Analyses with Wood’s light, UV and IR

 

FURTHER ANALYSES PERFORMED IN THE LABORATORY:
 Spectroscopic chemical analyses on pigments, glues, encrustations, patinas, products of corrosion. Scientific, practical and instrumental tests of authenticity on: ivory, amber, archaeological glass, pigments, metals, stones,  carpets, tapestry, prints, books, clocks and watches, china.

PRICES: the average cost of analyses is 75 Euro for each test; some tests are conclusive in telling fake and authentic items apart, such as wood dating and tests on the encrustations on pottery and bronzes.
 

 

Determining the authenticity of
objects in ivory - Ample descriptions in

With this guide to detecting fakes, you will always have a trusted expert by your side, ready to provide you with clear and straightforward answers as to the authenticity and originality of the items that arouse your interest.

 

Contents:
VOLUME 1: Ivory, Paintings, Icons, Carpets and Rugs, Tapestry, Furniture, Glass, Ceramics, Scientific Methods
VOLUME 2: Paper, Books, Prints, Metals, Clocks, Walking Sticks, Pipes, Musical Instruments, Precious Stones, Amber, Pearls, Enamel Paint, Dolls, Toys, Fans
VOLUME 3: Minor Asian Arts, Excavated objects, Buddhist Art, African Art, Indonesian Art
   
How to buy it:
  • in all bookshops giving the ISBN code number
  • directly at the Art and Science Museum (with discount)
  • by e-mail

 

For Further information about the book

 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

NOW OPERATIVE !

Branch of the Milan scientific laboratory for determining the authenticity
of valuable antique art objects
 


The announced laboratory in Germany to serve central Europe is
now operative for the taking of samples from wooden objects to be dated and for the issuing of certificates.
 
 Please contact Dr. Martin Matthaes
 +49 (0) 17676305108 – mm@museoartescienza.com

The house, which has belonged to the Matthaes Foundation (Museo d’Arte e Scienza) for 45 years, is situated on the shores of Lake Constance, near Lindau.
 

Other requests may be sent, as always, directly to the Milan laboratory at the following address:

Museo d’Arte e Scienza
Via Q. Sella 4 – 20121 Milano
Tel. 0039 02 72022488
Fax 0039 02 72023156
e-mail: info@museoartescienza.com

  
 

 

 
 

 

The Founders and the permanent staff
of the Museo d’Arte e Scienza

   
 
   
 

Gottfried Matthaes
 Founder and  President

Giovanna Cozzi Matthaes
 Co-founder

  
 
     

Dott. Chim. Peter Matthaes
 Lab. Director and CTU

 Patrizia Matthaes
 Administration		 Silvia Mayer
 Language and Communication		 Dott. Avv. Martin Matthaes
Lawyer - International Law
 
 
Chiara Civardi
First lab assistant		 Roberta Delmoro
 Art Historian (Freelance)		 Marta Cugnasca
 Data processing		 Sonia  Checchini
Conservation
       

 

 

 

OTHER SITES OF THE MUSEUM OF ART AND SCIENCE: 
 

www.MuseoArteScienza.com - Sections of the "Museo d'Arte e Scienza": 6 rooms dedicated to the ascertainment of authenticity in art and antiques, 5 rooms about The "Treatise on Painting" of Leonardo Da Vinci and Leonardo's activities in Milan, 5 rooms dedicated to African Art and Buddhist Art, 2 Scientific Laboratories.

www.LeonardoDaVinciMilano.com - two permanent exhibitions: "Leonardo Citizen of Milan" and  "Appreciating Art through the Eyes of Leonardo" from his "Treatise on Painting".

www.AuthenticAfricanBronzesandCeramics.com -  dedicated to the authenticity of African artworks in bronze, stone and pottery. The scientific laboratory of the Museo d’Arte e Scienza has developed valid methods for telling authentic African objects from copies and fakes.

www.ArtAndScienceHandbook.com - The most complete and scientifically valid guide to ascertaining the authenticity of European and non-European antiques on an objective basis (540 pages and more than 2000 colour illustrations in 3 volumes and 3 languages)

www.Paintingsauthenticity.com - Information about the authenticity of modern paintings and antique paintings.

www.AntiqueFurnitureAuthenticity.com - A list of possible methods for determining the authenticity of furniture based on objective factors.

www.Excavatedartauthenticity.com - "A list of all the possible ways of determining, on the basis of objective factors,  the authenticity of excavated pottery, glass or bronze items from Southern Italy, the Mediterranean Basin, China and South America.".

www.AfricanArtAuthenticity.com - "Art and Life in Black Africa", The African Art didactic section of the Museum (5 rooms and over 350 objects).  

www.SpectroscopyforArt.com - Scientific method for the dating of the wood and identification of the wood type used for art objects. Determination of their authenticity through analysis of colours, binders, pigments and other organic substances.

www.C14spectrodating.com - Spectroscopic measurements complementing dating obtained with the C14 method that appears uncertain or impossible.

www.DendroSpectroChronology.com - Spectroscopic measurements complementing the uncertain results of dendrochronological dating.

www.CopiesAndFakesInArt.com - Ample further descriptions for ascertaining the authenticity in art for the individual fields of antiques

www.Matthaes.org  - The history of the G. Matthaes Foundation from the opening of the painting school in Dresden in 1906 up to the Museum "Arte e Scienza" in Milan.

www.LeonardoTeacherofPaintinginMilan.com - An abridged and illustrated edition of the “Treatise on Painting”.

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autenticita avorio
 ivory authenticity