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Our Approach to Dating & Authentication

Every piece that arrives at Aline's Tresors is carefully examined before it ever appears in our store. We believe that informed collectors make the happiest collectors — so this guide walks you through exactly how we assess and date our porcelain, Murano glass, and vintage figurines.

We do not offer formal appraisals or guarantee monetary valuations, but we are committed to sharing everything we know about each piece so you can buy with confidence.

Reading Maker Marks

Maker marks — also called back-stamps, factory marks, or pottery marks — are one of the most reliable tools for dating a piece. They are typically found on the underside (the 'foot') of porcelain and ceramics, and can appear as painted, incised (scratched into the clay), impressed (stamped), or transfer-printed marks.

Key things we look for:

• Factory name or initials — e.g., "Meissen" crossed swords, Royal Doulton lion and crown, Lladró hallmark.
• Country of origin wording — see the section below on origin wording, as this alone can date a piece to within a decade or two.
• Pattern numbers — these often correspond to factory records and help pinpoint production years.
• Glaze style over or under the mark — a mark fired under the glaze is generally older than one painted over it.
• Crown styles and registry marks — British pieces often carry diamond registration marks (pre-1884) or "Rd No." numbers that can be cross-referenced to a year.

Where we can identify the maker with confidence, we state it in the product listing. Where a mark is partial, worn, or from a smaller regional manufacturer, we describe what we can see and note any uncertainty.

What "Origin Wording" Tells Us

The country or region of origin printed on a piece is one of the most useful dating clues, thanks to changes in international trade law over the past 150 years:

• No country mark at all — likely pre-1891, before the US McKinley Tariff Act required imports to be marked.
• "England" or country name only — generally 1891–1920s.
• "Made in England" / "Made in [Country]" — typically post-1921, when the UK Merchandise Marks Act made "Made in" standard.
• "Made in Occupied Japan" — a very specific window: 1945–1952, during Allied occupation.
• "Made in Western Germany" — 1949–1990, the period of the Federal Republic before reunification.
• "Czechoslovakia" vs. "Czech Republic" — Czechoslovakia (pre-1993) or Czech Republic/Czechia (post-1993).

For Murano glass, origin is usually indicated by a Murano label, a certificate from the glasshouse, or a signature cane embedded in the glass itself. We photograph and describe these where present.

Model Numbers & Pattern References

Many major factories — Hummel, Lladró, Royal Doulton, Meissen, Capodimonte — assigned model or HN numbers to their figurines. These are invaluable for collectors because they allow cross-referencing with published collector guides and factory records.

Where a model number is visible, we always include it in the product listing. Numbers can also indicate production era: early model numbers generally correspond to older production runs, and factories sometimes introduced letter prefixes or suffixes when designs were revived or modified.

Condition Indicators We Assess

We use a consistent condition framework for every piece. Here is what each term means when you see it in our listings:

• Mint / Museum Quality — No chips, cracks, crazing, repairs, or restoration. Original finish fully intact. Extremely rare in pieces over 50 years old.
• Excellent — Minor age-appropriate patina only. No chips or repairs. May have light surface wear consistent with careful display.
• Very Good — Small factory flaw (present at manufacture), or very minor wear. No structural damage. Clearly noted in the listing.
• Good — Has a visible flaw such as a small chip, light hairline, or professional restoration. All issues are photographed and described.
• Fair / Display — Obvious damage or restoration, priced accordingly. Still beautiful for display but not suitable for serious collectors seeking investment-grade pieces.

We always disclose crazing (fine surface cracking in the glaze), any restoration or repair we can detect, firing flaws, and wear to gilt or enamel decoration. We photograph flaws close-up — if you do not see a flaw photo, the piece does not have a significant one.

What Provenance Means to Us

"Provenance" refers to the documented history of ownership and origin of a piece. Strong provenance adds context and confidence — though it is important to note that provenance alone does not determine value or authenticity.

For pieces in our collection, provenance may include:

• Original receipts, auction records, or estate documentation
• Original box or packaging (always noted and photographed)
• Factory certificates of authenticity (particularly common with Lladró and Murano glass)
• Previous collection labels or gallery stickers on the foot
• Family history or estate origin (noted where shared by the seller)

Where provenance documents exist, we photograph and describe them in the listing. Where a piece comes without documentation — as many antiques do — we say so honestly, and rely on physical evidence (marks, materials, construction) to support our dating.

Murano Glass: Special Considerations

Murano glass presents its own authentication challenges because the "Murano" name is widely imitated. Here is what we look for:

• Pontil mark — the rough or polished scar on the base where the glassblower's rod was attached. Its presence and style indicate hand-blown production.
• Murano glass label or sticker — original labels from the Vetro Artistico® Murano trademark scheme are a positive indicator, though labels can be removed or faked.
• Signature canes (murrine) — some makers embed a coloured cane with the maker's name or mark inside the glass itself.
• Glass quality and bubble structure — authentic Murano glass typically shows micro-bubbles and colour depth that differs from mass-produced glass.
• Weight and feel — hand-blown Murano pieces have a characteristic heft and slight asymmetry from the blowing process.

We photograph Murano pieces from multiple angles including the base, and describe any marks, labels, or signatures present.

How to Request Extra Photos or Information

We strongly encourage you to ask questions before purchasing, especially for higher-value pieces. You can request:

• Close-up photos of the mark or back-stamp
• Additional angles on any area of concern
• Photos of any flaw or repair mentioned in the listing
• A photo of the original box, certificate, or provenance document if present
• Measurements (height, width, depth, weight where relevant)

Simply use the contact or enquiry form on the product page, or reach us directly. We aim to respond within 24–48 hours. We would rather answer twenty questions and make the right sale than have a piece arrive and disappoint you.

Browse Our Authenticated Collection

Ready to explore? Our Antique & Vintage Figurines collection brings together hand-selected porcelain figurines, decorative arts, and collectibles — each assessed using the methods described above. We also carry Murano glass art and fine china; use the search bar to explore by maker, origin, or style.

Every listing reflects our honest assessment. Where we are certain, we say so. Where there is any uncertainty, we say that too.

Happy collecting — Aline's Tresors