Capture the entire object
Photograph front, back, underside, side profile and any break or attachment point. Include a scale. Note whether a base is original, added or unknown. A recent mount can conceal a crucial area of construction, but do not remove it without conservation advice.
Do not treat patina as a verdict
Corrosion layers can be natural, altered, applied or restored. Their appearance alone does not prove age. Qualified specialists may examine manufacturing marks, casting evidence and repairs, sometimes with instrumental techniques, but results require interpretation rather than a single “ancient” reading.
Distinguish stylistic comparison from provenance
A figure resembling published Greek or Roman examples is a lead, not a documented place of discovery. Record the exact comparator, museum accession number and limits of the resemblance. Avoid reporting a precise archaeological site unless contemporary documentary evidence supports it.
Check legal history before valuation
Ask for dated transfers, collection records and jurisdiction-specific export and import evidence. An attractive object without a lawful history can present greater risk than its size suggests. Independent expert review is particularly important for objects offered with dramatic or unusually specific claims.
What to do next
- Photograph all sides and the underside
- Map repairs and later mounting
- Avoid interpreting patina alone
- Cite museum comparators accurately
- Document legal ownership chronology
Common questions
Does an old-looking patina mean a bronze is authentic?
No. Corrosion and surface appearance are not conclusive proof of antiquity.
Can XRF alone date a bronze?
Elemental analysis can inform material study but does not by itself establish an exact manufacture date.
Cultural-property compliance varies by jurisdiction. Style and seller documents do not establish lawful title. Obtain independent professional advice and avoid inadequately documented material.