posted 05-06-2012 09:11 AM            

I'm new on the forum, that's my first post. I hope somebody can help me. I'm not a serious collector of silver, but got some nice objects, mostly Central Europe and Russia. Some of them in family hands since 19th c. I buy new objects from time to time.

I got rare opportunity of buying the silverware signed by Ruckert. Thousands of fakes are on the market and the price is not very low, so I'd like to ensure it's not false. Enclosed the picture of signature. With kind regards, Peter

posted 05-07-2012 03:43 AM            

Fedor Rückert, born in Moscow, of German descent, worked independently since 1887 - also for the firm of Fabergé. He is known for his enamel Cloisonné, easily recognizable by their pastel colors and Art Deco themes. His silver was always 88 zolotniki, never 84 zolotniki! The shown marks are poor fakes!
See original enclosed:

posted 05-07-2012 09:37 AM            

auction houses sell many things! And it is a big difference if they sell "authentic F. Rückert", "marked F. Rückert" or "attributed to F. Rückert"!
As customer you always get what you deserve...

Regards
Postnikov

posted 05-11-2012 04:26 PM            

quote:

---

Originally posted by Postnikov:
Hi Lajterek -

auction houses sell many things! And it is a big difference if they sell "authentic F. Rückert", "marked F. Rückert" or "attributed to F. Rückert"!
As customer you always get what you deserve...
Regards
Postnikov

---

Hi Postnikov,

I thought it's mostly concerned with paintings, where sometimes it's really difficult to say if it's original, school, copy or false.

Regarding one of your previous posts - as a new member I can't reply there - you said Ruckert was master and subcontractor of Faberge, so his quality was always top. As I said, I'm not strong in silverware, but according to other arts, in my opinion, you are not right.

First - I don't believe all original items with Ruckert signature was 100% made by himself. Most of this big names had a workshop or manufacture with many people working. Sometimes they only checked if the quality is good enough and stamped it. Vide J.H. Riesener, probably the best ebeniste during Louis XVI reign in France. He delivered ca. 700 pcs of furniture for French court and aristocracy. Impossible for one man. He had a big workshop and lot of people worked for him, there was also something we call now outsourcing - i.e. gilded bronze used for furniture was made by other companies. So we can see top furniture with his signature and some (but not many, that's true) not so special. Same with da Vinci. You can't say he was average painter. But check "Madonna in rocks", there are two versions (if I remember Louvre and London), one is much better, both without doubts made by da Vinci. But one was probably partially made by his pupils. I can find hundreds examples like that.

Second - even masters, they were only people. Had better and worse days. So their products also varied.

Third - these people were genial, usually before the rest of craftsmen these days. It means they were also finding new technologies, methods, designs etc. In result some of works are not top, cause they made many experiments.

Do you agree?

Best regards,
Piotr

posted 05-11-2012 08:28 PM            

most of what you wrote is true - but each outstanding artist has something "special" which distinguishes him from other top artists. Rückert´s talent was the production of pastel enamel colours and Art Deco themes in never before seen beauty and quality. The silver was secondary - only the basis for his enamel. And of course he had employees who worked for him - but - and that is very important - under his strict rule.

If you show the enamel of your fake and compare it with my original you will understand what I try to explain.

And what we all forget: these artists were very good at their time - only more or less known by a few - in Moscow and mostly in St. Petersburg - but really famous they became after the whole world recognized what they really had created - many years later - until today. And by the way - it also is always a matter of personal taste what you like...In our days it is only important if it brings a lot of money. The art market is not honest! The reason why things are faked.

Here an other Rückert object from my collection. See the difference?

Regards
Postnikov

posted 05-11-2012 08:36 PM            

no encyklopedia of Russian fake marks!

I've never understood the urge to "learn" about fakes. It's a waste of time. Spend that energy learning about the real thing and you'll know the fakes when you see them because they won't look like the real thing. No matter how much you "learn" about fakes, you'll never know everything about them so it's literally an all-consuming time-suck that has no value since every day new fakes hit the market.

posted 05-12-2012 05:16 AM            

I saw the picture. It's really not comparable design. From other side - it looks better than many Ruckert works I've seen, including originals (?) in Russian museums.

Re art market - in my opinion too much marketing there. People spend tons of money on things simply ugly, only cause the artist was/is famous. I know it's never ending discussion, but sorry, 90% of modern art is trash for me. That's why I'm concentrating on older items, but got also some modern paintings. Only which I like, "professional opinions" are not important for me.

Re "my fake Ruckert", fortunately it's not mine. Thanks to your advise, I didn't buy it. I will publish some pictures when got time, it can be good lesson for other.

Best regards,
Lajterek