Look, we’ve all been there. Redd’s trawler is docked at the secret beach, the lighting is dim and moody, and you’re staring at a floating rock with eyes. It’s stressful. You don't want to waste your hard-earned Bells on a hunk of plaster that Blathers will just reject with that look of posh disappointment. Identifying the ACNH ancient statue real vs fake differences is actually one of the weirder challenges in Animal Crossing: New Horizons because the fake isn't just a bad copy—it’s straight-up haunted.
If you're trying to complete your museum's art gallery, you need the genuine article. The real deal is based on the "Dogu" figurines from the Jomon period of prehistoric Japan. These are iconic pieces of history, characterized by their "goggle-eyes" and stout, ornate bodies. But in the world of Animal Crossing, Redd likes to sell a version that looks like it stepped out of a sci-fi B-movie.
The One Dead Giveaway for the Ancient Statue
When you’re standing in front of the statue on Redd’s boat, zoom in. No, seriously. Get right up in its face. The real Ancient Statue has flat, closed eyes. They look like horizontal slits or goggles. It’s stoic. It’s calm. It looks like a historical artifact should.
The fake? It has antennas.
Specifically, the fake Ancient Statue has two small, grey appendages sticking out of the sides of its head that look suspiciously like radio antennas. If you see those little "ears" or "antennas" poking out, it's a forgery. It’s basically a "spaceman" version of the Jomon pottery. It’s a fun nod to the "ancient aliens" theories that pop up in pop culture, but Blathers isn't buying it. He wants archaeology, not conspiracy theories.
Wait, Does it Float?
Here is where things get spooky. If you accidentally (or intentionally) buy the fake, don't just toss it in the trash. The fake Ancient Statue is one of the few pieces of "haunted" art in the game. If you place it outside or in your house and interact with it (press A), the statue will actually levitate.
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It hovers. It glows.
At night, the eyes of the fake statue will glow a soft, eerie blue. It’s incredibly cool for a graveyard build or a sci-fi themed island, but it won't help your museum's completion percentage. If you want the real one, look for those closed, slit-like eyes and a total lack of antennas. The real one stays firmly on the ground, exactly where gravity intended.
Why Redd is Actually Kind of a Genius
Redd is a crook. We know this. But the way Nintendo designed the ACNH ancient statue real vs fake tells a story. The genuine Dogu statues (specifically the Shakoki-dogu) are thought to represent goddesses or fertility figures, dating back to 1000–400 BCE. By adding antennas and levitation to the fake, the developers are poking fun at the idea that these ancient figures are actually depictions of extraterrestrial visitors in spacesuits.
Most players just want the checkmark in their Critterpedia or Museum app. I get it. But there’s a certain charm in the fakes. Unlike the "Wistful Painting" where the fake just has a different earring, the Ancient Statue fake is a whole different vibe.
Honest mistake? Maybe. But if you see blue light coming from the eyes, you’ve been scammed.
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Comparing the Fine Details
If you're still unsure, look at the body texture. The real statue has a very specific, earthy, clay-like texture with intricate carvings that look weathered by time. The fake often looks a bit "cleaner," despite the weird sci-fi additions.
- Real: Slit eyes (looks like goggles), no antennas, stays on the ground, accepted by Blathers.
- Fake: Rounder eyes (sometimes), has two distinct antennas on the head, glows blue at night, levitates when touched, rejected by Blathers.
It’s worth noting that the "Dogu" is a very popular item for island decorators. Even the fakes sell for a decent amount on Nookazon because people love the levitation effect. If you’re going for a "supernatural" island theme, the fake is actually more valuable to you than the real one.
Spotting the Ancient Statue in the Wild
You won't find this at Nook’s Cranny. You have to wait for Redd to show up, or you need to visit his stall on Harv’s Island. If you’ve unlocked the plaza on Harv’s Island, you can check his stock every single day. This is the fastest way to complete your collection.
Just remember: Redd’s inventory on Harv’s Island refreshes every Monday, unless you buy something. If you buy a fake on Tuesday, he’ll replace it with a new item on Wednesday. This is a pro-tip for collectors—buy the fakes just to cycle the inventory and find the real Ancient Statue faster. It’s an expensive strategy, but time is money when you're trying to get that gold museum model.
Blathers is a stickler. He’ll give you a whole speech about the Jomon period if you bring him the real one. If you bring him the fake, he’ll just look hurt. Don’t hurt the owl. Check the eyes.
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Actionable Steps for Your Next Art Hunt
Don't go into Redd’s boat unprepared. Use the camera tool on your NookPhone to get a high-angle or close-up view of the statue's head. The default perspective on the boat is intentionally deceptive.
If you are playing late at night, the glow on the fake is much more obvious, even before you buy it. If those eyes look like they're powered by a lithium battery, walk away.
Once you have the real statue, donate it immediately. Don't leave it in your storage where you might mix it up with a fake you bought for decoration. The real one has "Ancient Statue" as its name in the inventory, just like the fake, so the only way to tell them apart once they're in your pocket is to look at the thumbnail very, very closely or try to place them and see if they start flying.
Stick to the slit-eyes, avoid the antennas, and you'll have a world-class exhibit in no time.