Large Stand (Tobouret)

Pastiches, or ceramics “restored” in the early twentieth century by dealers, often with pieces from different objects, including wasters. X-rays (see monitor at right) reveal that many vessel handles were fabricated with metal wires and fills were added, to make the pieces more readily saleable in the art market. Overpainting and purposeful weathering of the surfaces made the objects look as if they had been found intact.