Myrna Schkolne: Early Staffordshire Figures

It is quite easy to over paint poor enamels on a figure. Indeed, even dull worn enamels can be made glossy by painting glaze over them. Sometimes, small amounts of touching are necessary to restore a damaged object to its original appearance but who wants to look at a lot of modern paint? When touching is done to enhance an object by making it into something other than what it was before hand the faker's hand is at work! You can always tell overpainted enamels by standing in good light and looking closely at the surface with a magnifier (I use 4X reading glasses). The small crazing marks, tiny flakes, and other irregularities that occur with time should be apparent. Any changes in texture invite questioning.

Seems like someone has been very busy trying his painting skills on Sunderland lustre plaques to enhance their value. And he has been getting away with it. Although this site is about figures, I have posted the tale as a cautionary one for us all because the same could just as easily happen to figures. The story also illuminates the perils of buying at auction. So read it by clicking here.