Authentication is the part of the job we take most seriously — every piece that comes through TROVE is checked in house by our own team before it’s listed. Here’s a small window into what that actually involves.
Stitching and Symmetry
Genuine houses hold themselves to a remarkably consistent standard: even stitch length, symmetrical spacing, and clean thread ends. Uneven or sloppy stitching is one of the first things that stands out.
Hardware Weight and Finish
Authentic hardware has a particular heft and a finish that ages in specific, predictable ways. Lightweight, overly shiny, or oddly toned hardware is a common tell.
Date and Craftsman Stamps
Most houses stamp pieces with markings that correspond to a production year or workshop — the format, placement, and font of these stamps all need to match what that house actually used for that era.
Leather Grain and Smell
Genuine leather has a texture and scent that’s difficult to convincingly fake at scale. This is one of those things that becomes obvious with experience handling hundreds of pieces, even if it’s hard to describe in a list like this one.
When in Doubt, Ask
If you’d like more detail on how a specific piece in our collection was authenticated, message us on WhatsApp and we’re always happy to walk you through it.
