George Washington ate on Chinese Export dishes with a center design of a winged goddess with a trumpet and eagle. It’s the symbol of the Society of Cincinnati, a group founded in 1783 by military officers. A dinner plate now sells for over $25,000. But over the past five years, authentic antique export wares with a plain center and the famous plates’ border have been embellished with a new center symbol meant to fool collectors. Paint analysis proves they’re fakes. Another clue is that the glaze on the plate back is grayer than it should be because the plate was refired.

 

Photo: Christie’s LTD. 2013