Ancient Greece

Physical identification

Greek pottery, terracottas, bronze, sculpture, jewelry and coins. Record dimensions, weight, manufacture, surfaces, repairs, labels, mounts and inscriptions before cleaning or treatment.

Key cautions

• Regional workshops and periods must be distinguished.
• Vase repainting and fragment reconstruction are common.
• Modern Greek export history matters.

Provenance and lawful movement

Determine likely source country or countries, the date the object left, applicable patrimony laws, export-certificate requirements and destination-country import restrictions.

Authenticity and conservation

Condition and authenticity can be intertwined. Artificial deposits, modern joins and restored surfaces may disguise manufacture. No single photograph, certificate or test proves the complete history of an object.