Oxford Authentication® has been leading the field in authenticating pottery, ceramics, porcelain, stoneware and bronze since 1997. Its founding director, Doreen Stoneham, has been conducting authenticity tests since 1970. Our clients include many major museums, international foundations, private collectors, auction houses such as Christie’s, Bonhams and Sotheby’s and antique dealers all over the world.
The Directors
ELISE BARNARD
Director
Elise Barnard, daughter of Doreen, has been a Director of Oxford Authentication® Ltd since March 2011. She has a degree in Natural Sciences from Cambridge University and has 26 years of laboratory and quality assurance experience from her career in the aerospace industry. Following training from Doreen Stoneham, she is taking a more active role in quality assurance and radiation protection.
HELEN MASON
Director
Our Director, Helen Mason is a founder member of Oxford Authentication® and played an integral role in setting up the company. She trained and worked from 1994 at The Research Laboratory for Archaeology, Oxford University. As well as being responsible for the day-to-day aspects of our business management and client relationships, she has considerable knowledge and experience of laboratory and data analysis processes. Helen is a highly experienced sampler, who travels the world to take samples. Helen has additional training in Art History.
NICKY THOMAS
Director
Nicky Thomas, daughter of Doreen, has been a director of Oxford Authentication® Ltd since March 2011. She studied Physics at Oxford University, and is a Member of the Institute of Physics and Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts. Nicky has worked in the field of physics for over 20 years, including work for the Institute of Physics. Nicky has a long-standing interest in the field of art authentication.
DOREEN STONEHAM
Founder
Doreen was the founding director of Oxford Authentication and world expert in thermoluminescence dating who started conducting authenticity tests in 1970, originally with the Research Laboratory for Archaeology and the History of Art at Oxford University where the process was pioneered. It was there in the early 1980’s that Doreen perfected the technique for the safe and reliable testing of porcelain and other fired ceramics. She founded Oxford Authentication in 1997 and in 2008 Doreen was awarded the Gabor Medal and Prize by the Institute of Physics for her distinguished work in the application of physics in an industrial, commercial or business context.
As director of Oxford Authentication® Ltd, Doreen Stoneham had been conducting authenticity tests since 1970, originally with the Research Laboratory for Archaeology at Oxford University, which pioneered the process. It was there, in the early 1980s, that Doreen perfected the technique for the safe and reliable testing of porcelain.
Doreen published a number of papers and articles on subjects ranging from authenticity testing to scientific research on thermoluminescence, as well as making radio and television appearances and lecturing extensively. She had also been called as an expert witness in courts of justice in both the UK and US. Doreen graduated from Bristol University in Physics.
The Staff
All members of staff were trained at the Research Laboratory for Archaeology, Oxford University, or have received extensive full in-house training by the company.
DR GREG ADAMIEC DPHIL, OXON
MARIE HERBERT
