Fake antique porcelain items made in China are currently flooding the world (and China itself too).
Unsuspecting buyers everywhere purchase these items. The expert recognizes many of them easily as fake, but high-level fakes sometimes are difficult to recognize even by specialists.
It has gone so far that the fake antiques sometimes are accompanied by a fake certificate to indicate authenticity. This is in no way limited to porcelain or antiques, anything that brings a profit is copied and sold as an original or antique item.
Recognizing the desire to buy antiques abroad, the forgers will produce antique-looking items of any "antiques" that the western collectors desire. Probably more than 99% of antique porcelain items currently exported from China are either reproductions or fakes.
What you should know! The market price for real antiques has soared in China in recent years. Actually, it now is often higher domestically than abroad. Some antique dealers selling in China claim that it is difficult to find enough good antiques there, but despite the (high) prices of genuine antiques finding buyers for these is no problem!
HERE IS THE TRUTH In recent years China has started enforcing protective measures of its ancient artifacts and heritage. It is now illegal to export any antique items over one hundred years old. Only those sold by one of the authorized Wenwuguan (cultural relic stores) can be exported. See als Antiques Export Restrictions.
You should wonder how they can export so many antiques under these circumstances, today. The answer is really very obvious: While a few genuine antiques may still slip through customs, the bulk is just newer reproductions and fakes. Look at the websites claiming they make or export antiques. Would you believe...?
collectors desire. Probably more than 99% of antique porcelain items currently exported from China are either reproductions or fakes.