Fake medieval figurine
This figurine shows a woman in elaborate clothing, wearing a crown and holding a water jar. Around her feet is an inscription. This object was intended to deceive as it looks like a medieval figurine but was actually made in Victorian London. It was made by two men called Billy and Charley, who in 1857 realised the popularity of historic objects and the money they could make from selling them. They set up their own workshop making objects to fool wealthy buyers. Despite being revealed as forgers they remained in business until 1870. It is thought they made and sold thousands of fakes which today are very easy to identify from the genuine article. This one was donated to the museum by someone who claimed it had been found in Topsham.
Object Summary
- Accession Loan No.
- A687
- Category
- Antiquities
- Collection Class
- Social and industrial history
- Collection Area Region
- Northern Europe
- Material
- lead
- Common Name
- fake medieval figurine
- Simple Name
- fake figurine
- Period Classification
- Victorian (1837-1901)
- Production Year Low
- 1857
- Production Year High
- 1870
