posted 10-26-2006 03:09 PM            

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Hello Scott -
Seeing your Unger Brothers brooches on the current great faces thread makes me think it might be interesting to post a Silver Magazine Nov/Dec 1998, p. 30-31, article by Janet Zapata on the sudden spate of Unger Brothers reproduction brooches that hit the market in 1998 at various antiques shows and fairs. This short article entitled Silverphiles Beware! might be a test of your new collaboration with the folks at Silver Magazine, and be of interest to many SMPub Forums readers.

Best regards,
Kayvee

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Thank you, Kayvee!

The article:

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From time to time I come across silver that, on close examination, turns out to be fake. Such was the case with the Tiffany water set I wrote about in the January/February 1996 issue of this magazine. The fakes that proliferate on the market affect all of us, whether we buy the object or not, because once a collecting area becomes inundated with fraudulent pieces, consumers lose confidence and begin to doubt even authentic pieces. This results in depressed demand and prices (to say nothing about sadly diminished collecting enjoyment!). As a concerned silver historian, I feel it is my responsibility to alert silverphiles about fakes and, hopefully, help deter future forgers from plying their trade.

Whenever an area of collecting becomes "hot," it seems there are unscrupulous entrepreneurs (otherwise known as forgers) who make sure there will be enough supply to satisfy the demand. Such was the case at the turn of the century, when the noted collector J. P. Morgan was purchasing bronze medallions. When there were not enough pieces to satisfy his collecting zeal, more were made. One would imagine that forgers would select pieces with a high dollar value to reproduce, but this is not always the case. Perhaps, they reason, volume can generate as much or more in sales and profits.

Recently a dealer (henceforth referred to as Ms. U.) sent me an Unger Bros. brooch (Fig. 1) she purchased at the Atlantic City antique show in the spring of 1996. She bought it for $200 from a dealer who specializes in small bronzes and other antique objects. The price for the brooch was lower than it would normally sell for; however, since the Atlantic City dealer's area of expertise was not jewelry, Ms. U. reasoned that he probably did not know current market values. Also, the clasp on the brooch (Fig. 2) appeared to have been altered or changed, a fact that usually devalues a piece of jewelry.

The brooch appeared to be in good condition and resembled in character the typical image of Unger's ladies with flowing hair. She noted that the dealer from whom she purchased the brooch had two other versions of Unger's ladies' heads in the Art Nouveau style. As she walked around the show, she noticed several other dealers with similar pieces. Any collector of Unger Bros. jewelry will attest that these brooches are usually hard to find, and discovering multiples at the same show is almost unheard of. Ms. U. began to have doubts about her brooch.

When she returned home, Ms. U. showed the brooch to another dealer who asked her if she had bought it at the Atlantic City show. It seems similar brooches at this show were selling for $40! The only readily noticeable difference between the reproduction and an authentic piece was the mark. The Unger Bros. mark (Fig. 3), an interlacing U and B surrounded by Sterling 925 Fine, has a dot in the lower part of the U.

At first glance the brooch appears to be fine. Like all such Unger Bros. Art Nouveau-style brooches, it was stamped out and then backed with a sheet of silver. However, on close inspection the joint between the two pieces of silver is visible in some sections of the periphery, and there are other flaws on the obverse that do not appear to be the result of usual wear. Fine lines have been subtly drawn on the surface to provide a softer sheen, giving the impression of age. These lines are not visible to the eye but can be seen under 10X magnification. Perhaps more tellingly, the execution of this brooch lacks the fine definition apparent in the design of Unger pieces, suggesting an inferior (less detailed) die. This piece is a good example of the mass production of popular, moderately priced pieces, made by competent artisans who nevertheless do not find it necessary or profitable to follow the high quality standards of the original maker.

So, what to do? As the market for silver continues to grow, more fakes and/or reproductions will inevitably appear. As we have learned from this example, price is not a reliable criterion, although some comparative shopping may provide useful hints. Ultimately you have to rely on your eye and knowledge. Look carefully at the design and execution, and re-examine and question anything that does not look right. Then, if the number of questions adds up, leave it and continue looking for the real thing!

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Thank you Silver Magazine, Carla & Jason. Janet and Larry!