I called down to Sasha and learned that her quick-and-dirty search for information about Faring Auctions in Cheyenne, Wyoming, had borne no fruit.“As near as I can tell, it’s gone. That’s just from phone books and antiques association directories. I’ll try business associations and the chamber of commerce next.”“All right. Meanwhile, I’ll get started on researching the mark.”A Google search revealed what we’d suspected: The “AR” mark had originated with the Meissen factory, as had the crossed swords, but both marks had been fraudulently used by competitors for hundreds of years. The AR stood for Augustus Rex and indicated that the vase—if it was real—had been made for royalty. This partic u lar style of crossed swords was first adopted in 1723. The initials above the swords, “JGH,” probably referred to the painter, Johann Gregor Höroldt.Höroldt had been named chief painter for the factory in 1720 and was known for his use of bold, bright colors and gilt.
