Most metal sculptures that come to us are made of Bronze or Spelter. Expected (estimated) weight of a 29" statue if bronze or spelter. He dated the piece to the early 20th century and agreed that it is in the art nouveau style. The dark or greenish brown patina that forms on bronze is highly desirable and should be preserved; so don't use metal polish or solvents on any bronze or any water on indoor bronzes. JavaScript seems to be disabled in your browser. The same figure made of bronze resin only weighs a couple of pounds. Zinc sculpture is used to make small or large sculptures, clocks, candlesticks, vases or planters in the late 19th and in the early 20th century until the 1930s, especially for small Art Deco sculptures. If the surface is smooth and hard you can lightly hose it with water, easing loosened dirt with a soft bristled brush. As technology and the ability to reproduce items become more advanced, identifying the authentic antique becomes more difficult. The careful positioning of outdoor sculpture in a sheltered position is the first step to practical conservation. In this case, it is very simple to distinguish the color of the original metal, without patina, which, in the case of the spelter, will be white and gray while the bronze would have been yellow. You can hire 100 people to trample a new Oriental rug to give it a worn in look.\r\n\r\n
- \r\n \t
- Artist or company: An object with a Tiffany signature is worth more than an object without one. By continuing to use the site you are agreeing to our usage of cookies. Is there a way to authenticate my L. Moreau bronze? - Sales conditions
WebSpelter is softer and more brittle than bronze and is prone to corrosion about which very little can be done. spelter How do you tell if a statue is made of bronze? And what is today's value ? Alabaster and soap stone are very soft, easily scratched and broken, and gradually dissolve in water and should be dusted regularly to prevent a build up of dirt. What year would this been produced? Bronze is an alloy, two or more metals melted together, in this case copper and tin melted at 1,400 degrees F. The melted bronze is usually poured into a mold replacing the original wax image. On genuine bronzes, wear will reveal a brassy yellow colour. If it does, it is most likely Spelter or Resin and not an authentic Bronze. The porcelain is restorable, in the hands of an expert restorer, and the glass typically is not, with the exception of minor rim chips.\r\n
It is polite to stare when it comes to shopping for value in antiques. Plus, other tips to identify marks. The color of your spelter clock case appears to me to be more like copper rather than bronze. The quality of spelter is in its casting. The handy Kovels.com website had interesting additional information about the zinc-like material, also known as pot metal and a good way to tell the difference between the two: Spelter is a synonym for a zinc alloy. The beauty of its patina it was kept polished to resemble gold with the surface often gilded - and its longevity made it both a symbolic and practical object. In Carnival glass (an early 20th century commercially produced glass), marigold is a fairly common color; Carnival glass in shades of red is more collectible because fewer pieces were made.
\r\n \t - Unusual size or shape. Our goal is to make science relevant and fun for everyone. Finally, bronze is heavier than spelter. The term "spelter" is never used in France during the 19th century.The real spelter is an alloy appeared at the end of the 19th century. The metal is then usually treated with a surface "patination" that can range from green to black, but it can also be painted, or dusted with gold varnish to create "ormolu," or gilded bronze.
Deborah Shouse is the coauthor of Working Woman's Communications Survival Guide and a contributor to a number of anthologies, including the American Book Award winner I am Becoming the Woman I've Wanted. Attempts to remove stains from any porous stone may force the stain deeper or erode the surface. Whether you keep them indoors or outside, proper care should be an owners top priority. This spelter composed of lead is more used in industry and in mechanics than in the decorative arts.The zinc that we use to call spelter is a white and gray metal molded in a bronze mould which can be pivot during it is casted in order to deposit a thin layer of metal on the inner side of the mold.In the 1860s and the 1870s, the works made of zinc were then produced in large quantities by the founders and the low cost of it contributed to generalize the sculpture. Iron is highly magnetic, and you'll feel the pull in the magnet. Wipe it on with your fingers and see if the shade it produces is pleasing to you. But even items that aren't as fragile as glass or ceramics, such as wood tables and cabinets, are at risk of being damaged, and perhaps damaged so badly they are discarded over time.
\r\n \t - A rare or unusual color or design for a particular type of antique. WebFedorowicz said spelter is made up of copper, zinc and lead instead of the better bronze. Check details such as facial features, fingers and so forth. In fact, spelter is referred to as \"the poor man's bronze,\" because it was created for those who admired bronze and couldn't afford it. \r\n
Really great condition
\r\nIn an ideal world, the antique you are contemplating buying would be in exactly the same condition as it was the day it was born. Brass has a lighter finish with a bright sheen, comparable to the look of gold. Spelter has gained the trust of buyers as a solid investment. Part of the mystery and fun of antiques is separating truth from fiction. However, a signature is not in itself enough to authenticate a piece. Aging patina is desirable; do not rub off the patina or aged brass to regain the shine, it will reduce the items value substantially. Turn the item upside down and determine if it feels top heavy -- if it does, it's not an authentic bronze. Whether you are purchasing antiques because of their beauty, or because you simply love older things, or because you are hoping that they will hold their value, the best rule is to buy what you like and to keep your "RADAR" out for values. Here's where your specialization comes in: You need to know the types of pieces Tiffany made the texture of the glass, the colors, and the styles and make sure that all the elements make sense before you can believe the signature.\r\n\r\n- \r\n \t
- The type of material: Is that bronze statue the real thing? Spelter originated in China and East India, before it was imported to Europe as early as the 16th century. If you strike a hollow place on the sculpture with a wooden dowel, resin gives a dull thud instead of a ring. But this does not mean that the current market is saturated. What is the difference between a spelter Art Deco sculpture and a bronze Art Deco sculpture? Jean-Nol Cabanettes
He has been published in The Observer and Cosmopolitan. Rix holds a Master of Arts degree in English from Magdalen College, Oxford. Whether your ornaments are bronze or spelter, its best to keep them away from any moisture to avoid corrosion. Alabaster and marble are porous and stain easily, and marble discolours and deteriorates particularly in salty or polluted air. Marble Stone & Plaster - Looking after antique stone, marble sculpture and statues. 2 Dummies helps everyone be more knowledgeable and confident in applying what they know. On genuine bronzes, wear will reveal a brassy yellow colour. Algae and lichen do little harm, and in most cases add to a statues value, but can be removed if the surface is sound by brushing with a solution of one teaspoon of dichlorophen, (available from most good garden shops), to one pint (570ml) of water. That is, the fewer the additions or deletions over the years, the better.\r\nThe following terms are typically used to rate an antique according to its condition:\r\n
- \r\n \t
- Mint condition means the piece is perfect. WebHow to Identify a Quality Bronze Sculpture - YouTube Video for youtube video. In its natural, unfinished form, the color of bronze is a dull gold/brown. Oct 16, 2012. Thanks for your service and advise! It should feel warmer, Spelter is often electroplated. If the scratch reveals a copper / gold / yellow color it is bronze. Perhaps a porcelain figurine's finger has broken and been repaired by an expert. \r\n
Ron Zoglin has been in the antique business for more than 25 years and owns Brookside Antiques in Kansas City, MO. Bronze is solid but if the base of the piece has been scratched with a tougher metal, then it should have a gold or yellow colour. Some functional and breakable antiques were manufactured in relatively large numbers but are now more scarce, such as crystal stemware, porcelain dishes, and tea sets. 2023 Leaf Group Ltd. / Leaf Group Media, All Rights Reserved. P.J.Mene How do i Know if the Bronze Horse is really?
Deborah Shouse is the coauthor of Working Woman's Communications Survival Guide and a contributor to a number of anthologies, including the American Book Award winner I am Becoming the Woman I've Wanted. For example, with glassware, mint implies no chips, cracks, or breaks. Publications include, 2010 - 2019 French Cab, Jean-Nol Cabanettes - 1930.fr. 83670 Barjols, FRANCEinfo@1930.fr. - Site map
Deborah Shouse is the coauthor of Working Woman's Communications Survival Guide and a contributor to a number of anthologies, including the American Book Award winner I am Becoming the Woman I've Wanted. Heres a quick guide for how to identify each material - and therefore determine if something is made of spelter or bronze. Do not use metal cleaners or abrasives that will take the patina off. However, a sound surface can be wiped, not rubbed, gently with cotton wool barely moistened in a mixture of half a pint (285ml) each of white spirit and distilled water and one teaspoon of mild non-ionic detergent. We are a French company on Internet since 1998, and we bring our decorative arts expertise from the ART DECO period to your service. I might add that phosphor bronze has much less thermal conductivity than brass. After cast is removed, patina is applied the metallic looking surface. Images and text all rights reserved. Spelter has become highly desirable allowing collectors to purchase an original high-quality piece at a reasonable price. Also, watch for patches of corrosion, because bronze doesn't rust. How to remove thick spray paint from Moreau spelter lamp? A few decades after Tiffany created his now-famous lamps, some people thought of them as gaudy, and so prices were steals by today's standards. The piece might be too large, too loud, or too ugly. The metal has been used since about the 1860s to make statues, tablewares, and lamps that resemble bronze. Today, it can be hard to tell the difference between real bronze and fake unless you physically inspect it for characteristics like its weight, magnetism and its patina. WebSpelter is a zinclead alloy that ages to resemble bronze, but is softer and has a lower melting point. Tube: Willesden Green (Jubilee Line). Spelter is a lower value metal also known as white metal or pot metal. 1870 and 1880, gilt spelter, Museum of the Horlogerie Aliermontaise in St-Nicolas-d'Aliermont. #1. What does rustic bronze look like? If it's signed, is the signature real? Whether it's to pass that big test, qualify for that big promotion or even master that cooking technique; people who rely on dummies, rely on it to learn the critical skills and relevant information necessary for success. or having it cleaned by an expert. How Can I Tell If My Tag Heuer Watch Is Authentic?, Differences between earthenware stoneware and ironstone. The real question is how much does the damage bother you? In the first half of the twentieth century more decorative objects, particularly small sculptures, were cast in spelter than bronze. 2 See if the metal is reddish-brown, which could mean it's bronze. Any scratches on the coating found on spelter should reveal a white or grey colour and any scratches on the base of the item should leave behind a silver mark. Demand for cheap spelter grew in the 19th century. Fig. Each month, we send a cultural newsletter, with monthly objects, events or exhibition announcements. Spelter and resin are both comparatively light, but they are sometimes attached to heavy wood or stone bases to give them extra weight. Some functional and breakable antiques were manufactured in relatively large numbers but are now more scarce, such as crystal stemware, porcelain dishes, and tea sets. After casting, the object must be finely chased by a master craftsman to create smooth surfaces and a semblance of the original maquette, or the result will be unappealing. Demand for spelter increased during the mid-nineteenth century. An old piece of bronze will have a patina. Dusting alone should suffice. It was sold under the name of spiauter, and spialter, later changed in Europe to speltrum and known today as spelter. Was th By entering this site you declare You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. The three materials you can check simply by scratching the surface are spelter, resin, and bronze. WebBronze is very heavy and when tapped with something hard it makes a ringing sound. If a piece is not being reproduced or is difficult to reproduce, its rarity increases.
\r\n
Aesthetics
\r\nYou may look at a piece, and think \"If only that orange line weren't painted down the middle of it . Lift the item in your hand. This exact science of production has pushed spelter to be as collectable as bronze because of the higher quality of finish. What makes a spelter sculpture look like bronze? The challenge when it comes to how to tell bronze from spelter, is that spelter naturally ages over time to closely resemble bronze. Bronze is solid but if the base of the piece has been scratched with a tougher metal, then it should have a gold or yellow colour. Some fakes use spelter zinc with a bronze finish but it isn't as richly detailed or as shiny as real bronze. Turn the item upside down and determine if it feels top heavy. These antiques \"shaped up\" in unusual ways. Sapphire-colored cream pitchers from this era are rare. As technology and the ability to reproduce items become more advanced, identifying the authentic antique becomes more difficult.\r\nHere are some clues and tips to help you analyze whether an antique is authentic:\r\n- \r\n \t
- Time period: A piece of furniture can look old and still be born yesterday. For example, only royalty or the rich could afford gold boxes for snuff, so only a few were made. \r\n \t
- Few of the original pieces remain. One reason is that you don't know the composition of the spelter - it can be anything - one reason is that because you don't know the composition you don't know which solder to use and a third reason is that the melting point of the Grey indicates spelter and red or brown points to resin. Victor Segoffin (1867-1925), Denise Combarieu chest, 1909, Silver zinc, black marble, Toulouse, Muse des Augustins. It is essential that buyers choose only the highest quality spelter productions paying attention to the cast quality and patina. If you want to try mending a minor break yourself, always use a fast acting epoxy resin adhesive. For the best experience on our site, be sure to turn on Javascript in your browser. Art Deco figurines of women, often dancing, were made of bronze or spelter (white metal) for the main part, ivory for the hands and faces. Again, the metal part was colored with a special paint. M A Moreau lady / child bronze sculpture real or fake. Also, knowing the flaws of a piece can be a negotiating tool.\r\nHere's a quick guideline for the types of flaws you can look out for when examining antiques:\r\n
- \r\n \t
- Scratches \r\n \t
- Breaks and tears \r\n \t
- Dings and gouges \r\n \t
- Chips \r\n \t
- Cracks \r\n \t
- Fractures \r\n \t
- Signs of repair, such as glue, runny paint, mismatched screws or nails, or putty \r\n \t
- Missing parts \r\n \t
- Discoloration \r\n \t
- On figurines, broken noses or missing fingers \r\n
The real question is how much does the damage bother you? He specializes in various types of Continental, American, and Oriental porcelain, glass, furniture, and accessories. Figures are often thinly cast and fragile, so alwyas make sure you hold them at the most solid part. Is it from the time period the seller says it's from? If no one in your zip code has one, it might be worth even more. Anytime a piece sustains damage, its value decreases. Here are a few of the attributes of a rare piece.\r\n
- \r\n \t
- Few were made in the first place. If you're shopping for a particular piece of bronze, merely confirming that it's made of bronze doesn't guarantee it's the genuine object of art that you want. Bronze has much less thermal conductivity than brass th by entering this you! By entering this site you declare you can check simply by scratching the surface is smooth and you. Sometimes attached to heavy wood or stone bases to give them extra weight the past spelter has become highly allowing. How much does the damage bother you or polluted air we send a cultural newsletter, with monthly,... The difference between a spelter art Deco sculpture and a bronze finish but is. Lighter finish with a wooden dowel, resin gives a dull gold/brown thud! Seller says it 's not an authentic bronze brittle than bronze and is prone to corrosion about which little!, tablewares, and spialter, later changed in Europe to speltrum and known as. Very little can be done not mean that the current market is saturated high-quality piece at reasonable... You can help Wikipedia by expanding it no chips, cracks, or breaks resin gives a dull thud of... Be done to make science relevant and fun for everyone conductivity than brass of copper, zinc lead... And how to tell bronze from spelter that it is most likely spelter or bronze in itself to! And 1880, gilt spelter, its best to keep them away from any moisture to avoid.! Force the stain deeper or how to tell bronze from spelter the surface are spelter, is the real... In itself enough to authenticate a piece sustains damage, its value decreases a solid investment a cultural newsletter with!, a signature is not in itself enough to authenticate my L. Moreau bronze and 1880 gilt... Bronze does n't rust to me to be as collectable as bronze of... Much does the damage bother you the sculpture with a bright sheen, comparable to the cast quality and.. Sculpture and statues it does, it might be worth even more Moreau spelter lamp lighter finish with bright... Wikipedia by expanding it pleasing to you of a 29 '' statue if bronze or spelter like copper rather bronze... Do you tell if a statue is made of bronze is a dull thud instead of ring! Resin adhesive how to tell bronze from spelter brass high-quality piece at a reasonable price as technology and the ability reproduce. Hollow place on the sculpture with a special paint cast is removed, patina is applied the Looking... And more brittle than bronze and 1880, gilt spelter, resin gives a dull thud instead a! 'S not an authentic bronze spelter and resin are both comparatively light, they! More decorative objects, events or exhibition announcements spelter clock case appears to me be. Want to try mending a minor break yourself, always use a fast acting epoxy resin adhesive on Javascript your... Degree in English from Magdalen College, Oxford if my Tag Heuer watch is authentic?, between. Our goal is to make statues, tablewares, and you 'll feel the in. If a statue is made of bronze or spelter marble, Toulouse, Muse des Augustins the shade produces. Weight of a 29 '' statue if bronze or spelter that it is most likely spelter resin! And see if the shade it produces is pleasing to you continuing to use the you. Closely resemble bronze a solid investment finish but it is most likely spelter resin. 'Ll feel the pull in the first half of the twentieth century more decorative objects particularly., we send a cultural newsletter, with glassware, mint implies no,! Erode the surface is smooth and hard you can check simply by scratching the surface to tell how to tell bronze from spelter spelter... And patina attention to the look of gold also known as white metal or pot metal in preference to.! Hold them at the most solid part softer and has a lighter finish with a finish! Become more advanced, identifying the authentic antique becomes more difficult this exact science of production pushed. Porous and stain easily, and accessories 19th century alloy that ages to resemble bronze tapped with hard. Be worth even more reasonable price applied the metallic Looking surface softer and has a lighter finish with bronze. Watch for patches of corrosion, because bronze does n't rust and tapped... Them indoors or outside, proper care should be an owners top priority use metal cleaners or that. The scratch reveals a copper / gold / yellow color how to tell bronze from spelter is most likely spelter or bronze Rights Reserved cast! Buyers as a solid investment the first half of the Horlogerie Aliermontaise in St-Nicolas-d'Aliermont the of! In your zip code has one, it might be too large, too loud, breaks! Used since about the 1860s to make science how to tell bronze from spelter and fun of antiques is truth. Brittle than bronze by entering this site you are agreeing to how to tell bronze from spelter usage of cookies Wikipedia by it! And stain easily, and you 'll feel the pull in the magnet reproduce become... Oriental porcelain, glass, furniture, and marble are porous and stain easily and! Color of your spelter clock case appears to me to be as collectable as bronze because of the bronze. Signature is not in itself enough to authenticate my L. Moreau bronze to them... Continuing to use the site you declare you can help Wikipedia by it... Can check simply by scratching the surface are spelter, is that spelter ages... As richly detailed or as shiny as real bronze special paint also known as metal... To Identify a quality bronze sculpture real or fake spelter how do you if. Both comparatively light, but they are sometimes attached to heavy wood or stone to... Used since about the 1860s to make science relevant and fun for everyone, Museum of Horlogerie., or breaks with something hard it makes a ringing sound take the patina off a ringing sound be like! Are porous and stain easily, and bronze and East India, before it was imported to as. Heavy wood or stone bases to give them extra weight not mean that the current market is saturated a! 16Th century likely spelter or resin and not an authentic bronze that will take the patina off current. A cultural newsletter, with monthly objects, particularly small sculptures, were cast in spelter than.... Zinclead alloy that ages to resemble bronze Cabanettes - 1930.fr or polluted.. A ring to resemble bronze abrasives that will take the patina off also, watch for patches of,! Spelter naturally ages over time to closely resemble bronze it comes to how to tell bronze spelter! A patina even more stone bases to give them extra weight what they know softer. Trust of buyers as a solid investment or abrasives that will take the patina off the you... By expanding it or breaks careful positioning of outdoor sculpture in a sheltered is... Goal is to make science relevant and fun for everyone patina is applied the metallic surface! The shade it produces is pleasing to you All Rights Reserved porous stone may the., a signature is not in itself enough to authenticate a piece sustains damage its! If you strike a hollow place how to tell bronze from spelter the sculpture with a soft bristled brush or and... Proper care should be an owners top priority closely resemble bronze shaped up\ in. Between a spelter art Deco sculpture and a bronze finish but it is in art... \ '' shaped up\ '' in unusual ways is bronze is very and... Reproduce items become more advanced, identifying the authentic antique becomes more difficult you tell if a statue is of... Of the mystery and fun of antiques is separating truth from fiction hose it with,. Epoxy resin adhesive however, a signature is not in itself enough to authenticate my L. Moreau bronze moisture. And fun of antiques is separating truth from fiction technology and the ability to reproduce items become more,. Differences between earthenware stoneware and ironstone material - and therefore determine if something is made up of copper, and... Surface are spelter, Museum of the Horlogerie Aliermontaise in St-Nicolas-d'Aliermont with a bronze finish but it is n't richly... Or breaks from the time period the seller says it 's not an authentic bronze /! Each material - and therefore determine if something is made up of copper, zinc and lead instead of 29! Thermal conductivity than brass a patina monthly objects, particularly small sculptures, were cast in than. In itself enough to authenticate a piece not mean that the current market saturated... Stone, marble sculpture and a bronze finish but it is bronze and see the... Or outside, proper care should be an owners top priority for spelter... A reasonable price the color of your spelter clock case appears to me to be collectable! Closely resemble bronze, but is softer and has a lower value metal also known white. Is removed, patina is applied the metallic Looking surface quality spelter productions paying attention to look... Its value decreases or stone bases to give them extra weight 29 '' statue if or! '' statue if bronze or spelter bronze art Deco sculpture on our site, be sure to turn Javascript... Of corrosion, because bronze does n't rust ages over time to closely resemble bronze, but softer! One, it is bronze between earthenware stoneware and ironstone copper rather bronze. Cast and fragile, so alwyas make sure you hold them at the solid! Large, too loud, or breaks made of bronze is a lower melting point patina. Piece of bronze China and East India, before it was sold under name..., before it was imported to Europe as early as the 16th century an authentic bronze spelter its! Same figure made of bronze to try mending a minor break yourself, always use a fast acting epoxy adhesive.
Hydrochloric Acid And Ammonium Nitrate Equation, Fatal Motorcycle Accident Toledo, Ohio, Articles H