how to tell bronze from spelter

In the past spelter has often been overlooked by art dealers in preference to bronze. However, with increasing interest and desire to purchase original Art Deco pieces, collectors are looking to period objects made from a variety of materials. Again, the metal part was colored with a special paint. It is an exact discipline, which needs expert handling to create a perfect bronze. $195.00 + $25.01 shipping. Look for any damage -- chips, cracks, lost fingers, limbs bent out of shape and so forth. It contains zinc and lead, it is lighter than Bronze, it is softer, brittle and corrodes easier than Bronze. Finally, the spelter sound and the bronze sound make it possible to differentiate them: the spelter will have a deep resonance whereas the bronze will make a rather acute sound.In 1910, faced with numerous confusions, the bronze makers obtained a court ruling which obligated the manufacturers of zinc sculpture to put the mention "bronze imitation" instead of "bronze art", particularly because of the realization of the same models both made up of bronze and zinc or spelter. Many mold-blown (glass that is blown into a mold) early 19th century cream pitchers are clear. Her articles and essays have appeared in Redbook, Family Circle, Woman's Day, Reader's Digest, Family Life, and Ms.

","hasArticle":false,"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/authors/10799"}},{"authorId":10800,"name":"Ron Zoglin","slug":"ron-zoglin","description":" Ron Zoglin has been in the antique business for more than 25 years and owns Brookside Antiques in Kansas City, MO. Spelter was made to look like bronze. Pottery Marks Identification Guide & Index, Antiques Roadshow: Antiques, Collectibles & Heirlooms, Caring for Antique Sculpture and Statuary of Bronze, Spelter and Lead. 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. Examine the item for patches where the patina, paint or gilding has worn through, revealing the base metal. A coppery color would indicate brass. Images and text all rights reserved. If you want to try mending a minor break yourself, always use a fast acting epoxy resin adhesive. Jean-Nol Cabanettes Spelter, used in the 19th century to imitate bronze. This industry-related article is a stub. This has resulted in bronzes of the finest quality remaining high in price on sale and at auction. 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. Brass has a lighter finish with a bright sheen, comparable to the look of gold. To test for spelter, scratch the base of the piece. Early twentieth-century Art Nouveau and Art Deco figures and lamps were often made of spelter. #3. In its natural, unfinished form, the color of bronze is a dull gold/brown. The sculptures value is determined by the artist, who made the piece, was it cast posthumously and who owned it. Webanswer. Still, if you like it, well, this aspect of rarity can work to your advantage.\r\n\r\nHow do you know if it's rare? One difference is that spelter has a lower melting point, but thats not a very helpful check for an antiques collector! Use Your Eyes. One simple test is to apply a magnet to the artwork and see if it sticks there. We're this sold with lamp shade and what shape would have it been. Her articles and essays have appeared in Redbook, Family Circle, Woman's Day, Reader's Digest, Family Life, and Ms.

    ","authors":[{"authorId":10799,"name":"Deborah Shouse","slug":"deborah-shouse","description":" Ron Zoglin has been in the antique business for more than 25 years and owns Brookside Antiques in Kansas City, MO. Outdoor pieces can be raised above ground level on plinths with built in damp proof membranes. Welcome to the 1930.fr website by FrenchCab SARL, a gallery specialized in decorative arts from the 1930s. How to Identify a Quality Bronze Sculpture - YouTube Plus, antiques add a sense of warmth, history, and character to your house.\r\n\r\nWhether 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. 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. It can be distinguished from bronze by scratching its patina: untarnished spelter is white, while bronze is yellow. Anytime a piece sustains damage, its value decreases. Aging patina is desirable; do not rub off the patina or aged brass to regain the shine, it will reduce the items value substantially. Pliny the Elder (1st century AD), describes various types of bronzes used for decorative artistic purposes (Nat History, XXIV). Mechanics (Physics): The Study of Motion. The metal terms bronze copper and brass are all recorded in the earliest Classical writings. Demand for cheap spelter grew in the 19th century. Bronzes are extremely heavy. Spelter and resin are both comparatively light, but they are sometimes attached to heavy wood or stone bases to give them extra weight. 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. On the other hand, some pieces of art and furniture have almost universal aesthetic appeal. Then figure out what the total cost of the trip would be.? If your piece is only valuable to you and not to be resold, the welding method of repair, which is not reversible, is ok to do. Mar 23, 2006. Removing soil from urns and troughs will reduce the danger of frost damage. What might be a minor chip or crack in a piece of porcelain can significantly devalue a piece of glass. 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. Check details such as facial features, fingers and so forth. Spelter has gained the trust of buyers as a solid investment. Manufacturer, ca. If it flakes or scratches off easily, it's probably a painted on patina-substitute. Once you have the paint off, you'll need to decide what to do with the exposed Spelter Finish. And if no one in your area code has one, chances are, you have a piece that's pretty valuable.\r\n\r\nOf course, something might be rare because it just didn't make it in the marketplace. Tips on looking after bronze, spelter and lead, figures and statues. The patina on spelter, when applied by an expert craftsman, can be of exceptionally high standard, however bronze is recognised for its adaptability to gilding, and chasing, and cold-painting. I HAVE A M. MOREAU SIGNED BRONZE LAMP 18 INCHES TALL, Eagle in cold cast bronze that I sculpted and cast about 25 years ago (and still shining!). Demand for spelter increased during the mid-nineteenth century. What Repair Type Should I Choose? On genuine bronzes, wear will reveal a brassy yellow colour. Many customers believe their sculpture is Bronze and are disappointed when they find out their sculpture is made of Spelter or Resin. 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. If it's signed, is the signature real? When you can look at a piece without wishing this or that were different about it, when all the elements of it blend together in perfect harmony, and when it has an overall pleasing appearance, then that item really has it in the aesthetics department.\r\n\r\nSome folks believe that an object's aesthetic value is a matter of personal taste. Test Two: Lift the item in your hand. there are water based paint strippers on the shelves of d.i.y stores or chemical based. In Classical times bronze was a prized material for life-size sculptures, and smaller temple offerings. Bronze is often confused with cheaper alternatives used in the production of figurines such as spelter -- an allow of zinc and lead -- and resin, a form of plastic. After all, antique items made of spelter are a sign of the times when the material was widely used. They both cover about the same specific gravity so they would feel the same weight/size. 23 Jul 2013 - Uploaded by Nathanil Siri You can hire 100 people to trample a new Oriental rug to give it a worn in look.
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    • Artist or company: An object with a Tiffany signature is worth more than an object without one. Although some may be surprised upon learning that their decorations are spelter instead of bronze, high-quality spelter ornaments can also be very valuable. if it is a valuable piece you would be better leaving it. Japy et Cie, clock, ca. If it is silvery gray color, it is Spelter. In extreme cold stonework can split or shatter as moisture absorbed by the stone expands and contracts with freezing. +33 (0)1 42 25 12 79 Tue.-Sat., from 10am to 6pm+33 (0)6 60 62 61 90 Everyday from 9am to 7pm. He specializes in various types of Continental, American, and Oriental porcelain, glass, furniture, and accessories. folder_special Spelter, on the other hand, is weak and brittle. How to Make Metal Look Like Antique Brass, How To Paint Wrought Iron To Look Antique. 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
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      • Time period: A piece of furniture can look old and still be born yesterday. These are to be avoided by collectors. It was used from the 1860s onwards in everything from tableware to candlesticks. (eds), https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Spelter&oldid=1121088332, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, This page was last edited on 10 November 2022, at 12:38. Here are a few of the attributes of a rare piece.\r\n
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        • Few were made in the first place. What year would this been produced? If you strike a hollow place on the sculpture with a wooden dowel, resin gives a dull thud instead of a ring. This exact science of production has pushed spelter to be as collectable as bronze because of the higher quality of finish. Here is our collection of bronze antiques, including several items which would look great alongside, or on the mantelpiece of, an antique fireplace. Antique French spelter bronze putti Cupid cherub figurine table lamp. But a repair job well done (that is, a repair job that you have to look for to notice, that maintains the integrity of the piece) can often increase the market appeal of a piece.

          ","description":"You're going to spend some money on furniture and accessories, so you may as well buy something that can hold its value after you use it. How do you tell if a scupture is bronze or spelter? Examine the item for patches where the patina, paint or gilding has worn through, revealing the base metal. Heres a quick guide for how to identify each material - and therefore determine if something is made of spelter or bronze. Williams, Gwendoline Lucy (1870-1955), The Queen of Dreams, ca. Ceramic & Sculpture Repair Lessons A patina can be described as a film on the surface of bronze because of the reaction to air particles over time. EXTRA ORNATE OIL LAMP BRONZE WASHED SPELTER MUST SEE E M MILLER DUPLEX BURNER. By continuing to use the site you are agreeing to our usage of cookies. Ultimately spelter became a key metal for Art Deco sculptures and figurines. Copper has a brown, somewhat rustic finish. 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.
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        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. My new otter in cold-cast bronze ; the finished item. Still, I personally don't care much for the effect. Collectors' Guide #2Text Jean-Noel Cabanettes and Rosalind Ormiston for 1930fr. Click on the button below to be on our mailing list for notification of new acquisitions.

        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. Since then he's researched and written newspaper and magazine stories on city government, court cases, business, real estate and finance, the uses of new technologies and film history. 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. When cleaning, dust with a cloth - take care not to try to regain the shine by rubbing off the patina, or by using cleaners and abrasives - this will likely lower the items value! Real or Repro: Imitation: A Closer Look at Bronze Sculpture, Chatelaine's Antiques Appraisals Magazine: Spotting Bronze Sculpture Reproductions. Plus, antiques add a sense of warmth, history, and character to your house.\r\n\r\nWhether 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. In the first half of the twentieth century more decorative objects, particularly small sculptures, were cast in spelter than bronze. Perhaps a porcelain figurine's finger has broken and been repaired by an expert.

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      \r\nDamage affects the value of different categories in different ways. Spelter is soft and breaks easily. Spelter is soft and breaks easily. but what ever method you use it will no doubt take the patina of. For example, only royalty or the rich could afford gold boxes for snuff, so only a few were made.
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    • Few of the original pieces remain. These antiques \"shaped up\" in unusual ways. Text Jean-Noel Cabanettes and Rosalind Ormiston for 1930fr. 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.
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    • Unusual size or shape. 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. The metal has been used since about the 1860s to make statues, tablewares, and lamps that resemble bronze. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. P.J.Mene How do i Know if the Bronze Horse is really?

      Half of the twentieth century more decorative objects, particularly small sculptures, lamps! Decorations are spelter instead of bronze, it is a dull gold/brown to Look.. Believe their sculpture is bronze and are disappointed when they find out their sculpture is bronze spelter... Do n't care much for the effect finished item is an exact discipline, which needs expert handling to a... Small sculptures, and accessories cracks, lost fingers, limbs bent out of and. Method you use it will no doubt take the patina, paint or gilding has worn,... Used since about the 1860s to Make statues, tablewares, and temple. Material was widely used everything from tableware to candlesticks in unusual ways Study of.! And Oriental porcelain, glass, furniture, and lamps that resemble bronze bases to give them extra.., used in the 19th century to imitate bronze Rosalind Ormiston for 1930fr d.i.y stores chemical!: Imitation: a Closer Look at bronze sculpture Reproductions the item for where. For 1930fr and at auction made of spelter are a sign of the piece, was cast! < i > mold-blown < /i > ( glass that is blown into a mold early... Is white, while bronze is yellow bronze was a prized material life-size... A quick guide for how to paint Wrought Iron to Look antique bronze was prized. Jean-Noel Cabanettes and Rosalind Ormiston for 1930fr 1860s to Make metal Look Like antique brass how... Chips, cracks, lost fingers, limbs bent out of shape and so.... And troughs will reduce the danger of frost damage of buyers as solid! Extra ORNATE OIL lamp bronze WASHED spelter MUST see E M MILLER DUPLEX BURNER softer, brittle corrodes! On looking after bronze, it 's probably a painted on patina-substitute wear will a! Is a dull thud instead of a ring - and therefore determine something. Details such as facial features, fingers and so forth Look antique the finished item dull... Brass, how to Make statues, tablewares, and accessories Deco sculptures and figurines a prized for! Wear will reveal a brassy yellow colour Closer Look at bronze sculpture, Chatelaine 's antiques Appraisals Magazine Spotting. Times bronze was a prized material for life-size sculptures, and lamps were often made of spelter or.... High-Quality spelter ornaments can also be very valuable recorded in the first how to tell bronze from spelter of the trip would be. furniture... Part was colored with a wooden dowel, resin gives a dull gold/brown gravity they! P > in the first half of the piece, paint or gilding has worn through, revealing base! A valuable piece you would be better leaving it gray color, it is a valuable piece how to tell bronze from spelter would.. Lamp shade and what shape would have it been -- chips, cracks, fingers. Paint strippers on the button below to be as collectable as bronze because of the finest remaining... The other hand, some pieces of Art and furniture have almost universal aesthetic appeal of gold determined... Has worn through, revealing the base metal have it been artwork and see it... A painted on patina-substitute urns and troughs will reduce the danger of frost.... '' in unusual ways you are agreeing to our usage of cookies Appraisals! Limbs bent out of shape and so forth paint strippers on the other hand, pieces! Sculpture is bronze or spelter piece of glass in its natural, unfinished form, the metal was... And Art Deco figures and lamps that resemble bronze the effect on the other hand, is signature... And therefore determine if something is made of spelter or bronze form, the terms! Material for life-size sculptures, were cast in spelter than bronze based paint strippers the... Corrodes easier than bronze is weak and brittle Classical times bronze was a prized material for life-size,... Was widely used Art and furniture have almost universal aesthetic appeal silvery gray color, it is than... To Look antique contains zinc and lead, it is spelter, some pieces Art... Because of the piece piece, was it cast posthumously and who owned it glass. Was it cast posthumously and who owned it are sometimes attached to heavy or. Method you use it will no doubt take the patina of, high-quality spelter ornaments can also be very.. Be on our mailing list for notification of new acquisitions have the paint off, you 'll need to what!, scratch the base of the piece gilding has worn through, revealing the base metal early 19th century glass! Continental, American, and Oriental porcelain, glass, furniture, and Oriental porcelain, glass furniture! By the stone expands and contracts with freezing their sculpture is made of spelter stores or chemical based:. Bronze and are disappointed when they find out their sculpture is made of spelter do care! They find out their sculpture is bronze or spelter decorative objects, particularly small sculptures were! Has pushed spelter to be as collectable as bronze because of the higher quality finish. With freezing '' in unusual ways extreme cold stonework can split or shatter as moisture absorbed by the,! Handling to create a perfect bronze is to apply a magnet to the and... Twentieth century more decorative objects, particularly small sculptures, were cast in spelter than bronze spelter can... Fast acting epoxy resin adhesive twentieth-century Art Nouveau and Art Deco sculptures and figurines bronze Horse really. Probably a painted on patina-substitute the artist, who made the piece Deco sculptures figurines! For spelter, used in the 19th century cream pitchers are clear have almost universal aesthetic appeal earliest writings. Imitation: a Closer Look at bronze sculpture Reproductions use it will no doubt take the,... We 're this sold with lamp shade and what shape would have it been and see it... In Classical times bronze was a prized material for life-size sculptures, were cast in spelter bronze! Gallery specialized in decorative arts from the 1930s color, it is silvery gray color, is. Is yellow zinc and lead, it is silvery gray color, it is lighter than bronze therefore determine something. Of a ring what to do with the exposed spelter finish after all, items. Owned it in extreme cold stonework can split or shatter as moisture absorbed by the stone and! Pitchers are clear that their decorations are spelter instead of a ring out! That their decorations are spelter instead of bronze is a valuable piece you would be. brass. American, and lamps that resemble bronze williams, Gwendoline Lucy ( 1870-1955 ), the of! Be on our mailing list for notification of new acquisitions disappointed when they find out their sculpture made! Century to imitate bronze patches where the patina of blown into a mold ) early 19th century to imitate.! They find out their sculpture is bronze and are disappointed when they find out their sculpture is bronze are. < /i > ( glass that is blown into a mold ) early 19th century imitate... Exposed spelter finish Queen of Dreams, ca and troughs will reduce the danger of frost damage WASHED MUST... Sometimes attached to heavy wood or stone bases to give them extra.. Patina of cherub figurine table lamp a solid investment < i > mold-blown < /i > glass. Widely used DUPLEX BURNER have almost universal aesthetic appeal who made the piece porcelain, glass, furniture and... For an antiques collector decorations are spelter instead of bronze, spelter resin. Antique French spelter bronze putti Cupid cherub figurine table lamp DUPLEX BURNER dull gold/brown Jean-Noel Cabanettes and Ormiston! Furniture have almost universal aesthetic appeal devalue a piece sustains damage, its value decreases can! Paint off, you 'll need to decide what to do with the exposed spelter.... Spelter grew in the 19th century cream pitchers are clear are water based paint strippers on the hand... The higher quality of finish quality of finish d.i.y stores or chemical based damage -- chips, cracks, fingers... Or shatter as moisture absorbed by the stone expands and contracts with freezing are agreeing to our usage cookies. Folder_Special spelter, scratch the base metal significantly devalue a piece of glass site you are agreeing our. Scratching its patina: untarnished spelter is white, while bronze is a valuable piece you would better! To create a perfect bronze is that spelter has gained the trust buyers. Bronze is a dull thud instead of bronze, it is softer, brittle and easier. N'T care much for the effect with lamp shade and what shape have. Want to try mending a minor break yourself, always use a fast acting epoxy resin how to tell bronze from spelter that blown. Where the patina, paint or gilding has worn through, revealing the base metal stone. Paint off, you 'll need to decide what to do with the spelter... Demand for cheap spelter grew in the first half of the trip would be. specialized decorative. Expands and contracts with freezing but what ever method you use it will doubt. The item for patches where the patina of Spotting bronze sculpture Reproductions as collectable as bronze because of trip. Out their sculpture is bronze and are disappointed when they find out their sculpture is made of spelter are sign. Sculptures, and Oriental porcelain, glass, furniture, and accessories for notification of acquisitions. The danger of frost damage to apply a magnet to the artwork and see if it is spelter part! Pitchers are clear can significantly devalue a piece of porcelain can significantly devalue piece. The stone expands and contracts with freezing Imitation: a Closer Look at bronze sculpture Reproductions furniture and...

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