Alloy : fakes usually contain more lead, and are therefore heavier, of a slightly bluish colour, and give no resonance when hit.

Technique :

• Sand casting (not used before late 19th C.) leaves granulations in the hollow parts.
• Spinning can be easily detected : the metal is very thin, the pieces very light. Traces of spinning are visible on the inside of pieces, bottoms are fixed after spinning.

Patina : bumps and scratches do not always appear where they should! Artificial patina obtained with acid leaves characteristic black patches. False repairs.