The Forgery Files

How to spot fakes and reproductions of American art pottery

Before you buy a piece marked Roseville or McCoy, turn it over, measure it, and compare it with a documented example of the same form. A convincing stamp can be copied. The shape, decoration, base, and measurements together tell you more about what you’re looking at.

1. How to Spot Roseville Reproductions

The Wisconsin Pottery Association documents reproductions of lines such as Magnolia, Clematis, and Water Lily. Start by finding the exact line and shape. Then compare the details below with a documented piece.

• Look inside. Some early imports had unglazed interiors, while later reproductions were fully glazed. Use interior glaze as one comparison point.
• Compare the finish and mold. Look at the glaze around the flowers, the crispness of the relief, and the thickness of the handles. A dull finish or bulky handle is worth investigating when a documented piece of the same shape looks different.
• Read the numbers in context. Later molded Roseville marks often give a shape number and size. In 667-4, the 4 is the size in inches. An impressed or raised U.S.A. can also appear on a reproduction.

Read this site’s Roseville marks guide or see the Wisconsin Pottery Association’s reproduction examples and comparisons.

2. How to Spot Fake and Reproduction McCoy

First check whether Nelson McCoy made that design at all. Then compare the dimensions and finish with an original of the same form. Those two checks help separate an invented design from a copy of a real one.

• Check the design against a reference. The McCoy Pottery Collectors’ Society documents a Little Red Riding Hood cookie jar bearing a McCoy mark. Nelson McCoy never made that jar.
• Use a tape measure. Copies molded from a finished piece can shrink during drying and firing. Measure the same dimension on the same form. The society lists the original Uncle Sam’s Head vase at 7½ inches high. A noticeably smaller example warrants a closer look. Small variations can occur in originals.
• Compare the color and glaze for that exact piece. Check which colors and finishes are documented for the form. A surprising color is a reason to look up more examples. Give the shape, measurements, and finish more weight than how heavy the piece feels in your hand.

Read this site’s McCoy marks guide. The collectors’ society has photos and examples of fakes and reproductions and a list of measurements for original pieces that have been copied.

3. A Checklist Before You Buy

1. Ask for clear photos. Get the entire profile, the base, and the inside or underside of the lid. A ruler in the photo can help you check the size.
2. Find a documented example of the same form. Start with a collector guide, catalog, or museum record. Compare the handles, rim, decoration, and foot ring as well as the mark.
3. Write down what matches and what differs. If the piece is still hard to place, keep the attribution tentative until you have a stronger comparison.

Start with a mystery mark using Identify Your Pottery Piece. Use the result as a research lead and compare it with the evidence above.