Paper is a crucial method of authentication. Currently, the prices of Chinese paintings and calligraphy are approaching those of Western artworks. As the saying goes, where there are great rewards, there will be brave men. Over the past 20 years, many talents have emerged among art students in China. If these individuals try to imitate ancient artworks, it can be difficult to discern authenticity. However, one thing that is hard to imitate is the marks of time. Whether examining antiques or paintings, the traces of time are vital for authentication. For example, the colors of porcelain cannot remain vibrant after many years unless preserved in alternative methods, like a vacuum state. However, this technology is relatively new; artworks from the Song Dynasty and earlier could not have maintained such conditions since their creation.
Additionally, aging paper to resemble old paper from 20 years ago is also challenging. The likelihood of errors in the entire painting process is very low, making paper an essential tool for determining age.
Often, we can only identify the signs of aging in artworks through visual inspection. For instance, when observing lacquerware, we can check whether dust has settled in the gaps between carvings. No matter how deeply cleaned, aged lacquerware will inevitably have dust trapped in those spaces. To achieve such precise monitoring, it is crucial to have a telescope that magnifies 8-12 times. Museums typically do not allow lighting on the artworks, so viewing from a distance with a telescope is necessary.
The texture of the paper and the ink are equally intricate and cannot be assessed from afar.