White lead is an important pigment in painting, and lead metal is an important constituent of works of art such as pewter or lead-bearing bronzes. A method for distinguishing between modern and old samples of lead is described and applied to the analysis of various works of art. The basis of the method is the detection of radioactive lead-210, which decays with a 22-year half-life when it is unsupported by its long-lived precursor, radium-226. The latter is separated chemically from the lead when lead and lead products are prepared from the ore. Potential sources of interference and the importance of careful sampling techniques are noted.