Many ceramics are not handmade and price can be a give-away.
So how to avoid purchasing a fake?
Look at the glaze. The glaze must be removed from the bottom of the piece before firing so the base or “foot” must show the natural colour of the first-fired clay (usually brownish-orange terracotta colour but sometimes white depending on the clay used). The ring will feel and look slightly rough. If a ceramic is completely glazed including the foot, it is likely to have been painted by a machine.
Genuine handmade ceramics will often have the artist or studio’s name and the country or town of origin. You will be able to see the often fine brush strokes of the artist. Two pieces are never exactly the same. Insolita will always source from local artists in the area visited to ensure that each item is hand-made and hand-painted.
