Spelter has become highly desirable allowing collectors to purchase an original high-quality piece at a reasonable price. WebFig. 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. Fig. Is there a way to authenticate my L. Moreau bronze? If one of our customers owned a sculpture worth $20,000, we would not want to see or recommend a restoration using the welding process. Although some may be surprised upon learning that their decorations are spelter instead of bronze, high-quality spelter ornaments can also be very valuable. 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. Then figure out what the total cost of the trip would be.? It was known as tutanego. On the other hand, some pieces of art and furniture have almost universal aesthetic appeal. 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. .\" or, \"If only that carving weren't slightly off-center. Perhaps a porcelain figurine's finger has broken and been repaired by an expert.
\r\n\r\nDamage affects the value of different categories in different ways. Brass has a lighter finish with a bright sheen, comparable to the look of gold. If it's a fake, it's quite possible you'll spot small differences from the original. bronze or spelter? folder_special
Zinc and lead, while bronze is made of copper and tin. Unpainted spelter can be waxed as per bronze above. If it flakes or scratches off easily, it's probably a painted on patina-substitute. Centuries ago, bronze was a groundbreaking alloy of copper and tin, used for weapons and art. 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. Images and text all rights reserved. Because of its hardness, it is less susceptible to wear and tear. Some folks believe that an object's aesthetic value is a matter of personal taste. Anytime a piece sustains damage, its value decreases. Visiting art galleries and museums is one great way to see antique objects of art that are considered aesthetically pleasing. Antiques often have a ","noIndex":0,"noFollow":0},"content":"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. After cast is removed, patina is applied the metallic looking surface. The quality of spelter is in its casting. He is an accredited senior member of the American Society of Appraisers, a certified member of the Appraisers Association of America, an accredited member of the International Society of Appraisers, and a member of the National Association of Dealers in Antiques. Anatole J. GUILLOT (1865-1911) (after) - Young oriental woman, Important figural torchre in polychrome spelter. #1. Lift the item in your hand. Limestone, sandstone and coade stone form a weathered surface crust which if removed will expose a vulnerable crumbly surface beneath. Antiques often have a greater chance of retaining value than new machine-made furniture. On genuine bronzes, wear will reveal a brassy yellow colour. By contrast, spelter and resin are both comparatively light, but they are sometimes attached to heavy wood or stone bases to give them extra weight. For example, with glassware, mint implies no chips, cracks, or breaks. Mar 23, 2006. 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\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. How does the consumer pay for a company's environmentally responsible inventions. Bronze is unlikely to show damage and is less corrosive than spelter, however its also susceptible to bronze disease . Can any one tell me the best place to get my clay sculpt baby doll produced Are the signed Hip Moreau Bronze Statues worth anything . Spelter is soft and breaks easily. Dust indoor lead regularly. Its difficult to spot the differences between the two just by looking at them. 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. He specializes in various types of Continental, American, and Oriental porcelain, glass, furniture, and accessories. If a piece is not being reproduced or is difficult to reproduce, its rarity increases.\r\n\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 . In the second decade of the 20th century increases in the production of spelter arose from copper production being utilised for military munitions during WWI. Is bronze a precious metal? Welding or Adhesive? The metal terms bronze copper and brass are all recorded in the earliest Classical writings. If the object has any cracks visible, its likely to be spelter rather than bronze. 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. Welding is a stronger and sturdier repair if compared with adhesives, although new and modern adhesives are pretty amazing when used properly. Corrosion appears as a white powdery coating. One of the basic phases of electroplating is the application of copper, a Here's an example on the left: Ansonia Aida and Amneris Antique Clock. 8 years ago. Lead is heavy but very soft, easily dented and scratched. Most people wouldnt know the difference. He guessed that Rasmussens piece probably began life as a lamp and had lost a few pieces through the past century. If a piece is not being reproduced or is difficult to reproduce, its rarity increases.
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Aesthetics
\r\nYou may look at a piece, and think \"If only that orange line weren't painted down the middle of it . Moreover, the technical manuals of the time use "zinc sculpture" (French: "zinc d'art") for sculpture copies and works of art made especially from the second half of the 19th century. 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. Rinse immediately and dry well. For further queries about spelter or bronze, or about anything in our collection, please contact us. Scratching the patina also shows the surface of the metal underneath. 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! but what ever method you use it will no doubt take the patina of. Water dripping off a tree will stain a statue placed beneath and mould, algae and lichen form more readily on objects exposed to northerly weather. The beauty of its finished patina when spelter is cast it is produced without flaws creates sculptural works that are perfect in form. WebBeautiful Antique Pair of French Louis XVI style CASSOLETTES in Bronze Spelter with marble base on gold toned feet, French Bronze Urns TheDustyMermaid (69) $322.54 Oct 16, 2012. Copyright 2021 Leaf Group Ltd. / Leaf Group Media, All Rights Reserved. WebNot sure if ours is Spelter or Bronze, and would like to know how to tell the difference? Craddock, P.T. How to remove thick spray paint from Moreau spelter lamp? Also unusual are a miniature, fine-quality salesman's sample of a piece of furniture from the early 19th century; or a large capacity candle mold for making 20 to 40 candles instead of the more common dozen-capacity molds.
\r\n \t- Reproducibility. Our goal is to make science relevant and fun for everyone. In his etymology of the English language, 19th-century philologist Walter William Skeat speculated that the word pewter might have been derived from spelter.[1]. 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. Always make sure you test an inconspicuous area first to ensure the patina is stable as an artificially induced or painted patina may not be stable. Bronzes are extremely heavy. Thanks for your service and advise! In the first half of the twentieth century more decorative objects, particularly small sculptures, were cast in spelter than bronze. Video for youtube video. 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. Sherman is also the author of three film reference books, with a fourth currently under way. An old piece of bronze will have a patina. or having it cleaned by an expert. Even in the 19th century, molds often outlasted the death of the artist, so bronze foundries could keep making figures that looked like the original. Please do not hesitate to let us know your comments. Do not use metal cleaners or abrasives that will take the patina off. 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. This industry-related article is a stub. Relative to bronze, spelter is much softer. Look carefully at each item you're considering buying, inside and out, upside down, and right side up. Find out more or Close X, Spelter or bronze: how to spot the differences. The solution is also suitable for cleaning hard stone such as a polished granite, onyx, blue john, jade and agate. Heres a quick guide for how to identify each material - and therefore determine if something is made of spelter or bronze. 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 visit the link below to our Estimate request form, we'll reply to you within 48 hours with detaild cost estimate and packing / shipping instructions. About all you can say is that it is non-magnetic and not iron. White marble and similar materials can be dusted with pure talc to fill the pores and prevent dust becoming ingrained. One simple test is to apply a magnet to the artwork and see if it sticks there. 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. Anytime a piece sustains damage, its value decreases. In the early 20th century, sculptors such as Jacques Limousin used spelter heavily in their manufacture of Art Nouveau and Art Deco figurines and other ornaments. Is it the type of antique the seller says it is?\r\n\r\nPart of the mystery and fun of antiques is separating truth from fiction. 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
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\r\nThe real question is how much does the damage bother you? Books on your areas of interest also will show the better pieces.\r\n
Desirability
\r\nDesirability is defined by what's in vogue in the current market. One difference is that spelter has a lower melting point, but thats not a very helpful check for an antiques collector! 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\nIt is polite to stare when it comes to shopping for value in antiques. 1905-1906, spelter, Victoria and Albert Museum, London. 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. How to Make Metal Look Like Antique Brass, How To Paint Wrought Iron To Look Antique. Today, art dealers are taking great interest in spelter, first introduced to Europe from the Orient by Dutch and Portuguese traders in the seventeenth century. 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. Outdoor pieces can be raised above ground level on plinths with built in damp proof membranes. HOW TO IDENTIFY A QUALITY BRONZE SCULPTURE www. Also, watch for patches of corrosion, because bronze doesn't rust. You want to understand the damage and changes the piece has undergone so that you can understand if the price pleases you. Demand for cheap spelter grew in the 19th century. Ultimately spelter became a key metal for Art Deco sculptures and figurines. 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.
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\r\n\r\n \t- The type of material: Is that bronze statue the real thing? In extreme cold stonework can split or shatter as moisture absorbed by the stone expands and contracts with freezing. Specialists in antique fireplaces & architectural antiques since 1969. What year would this been produced? Spelter is often electroplated. Is it made by the artist or company that is indicated? 120, rue des Rosiers 93400 Saint Ouen Opening Hours : Friday to Monday from 10am to 6pm and every day by appointments. 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. P.J.Mene How do i Know if the Bronze Horse is really? I'll see if I can located the tutorial. This site requires JavaScript for certain functions and interactions to work. Finally, bronze is heavier than spelter. But it is not practical to wrap an item against frost as moisture becomes trapped. 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. What does rustic bronze look like? Examine the item for patches where the patina, paint or gilding has worn through, revealing the base metal. Bronze is extremely hard and therefore unlikely to display any damage other than to the surface patina; it was first used as swords in the Bronze Age. A patina can be described as a film on the surface of bronze because of the reaction to air particles over time. The first question sculpture owners often ask is: "Should I bother to fix this?" Usually, when a bronze sculpture is brought in for repairs it is for surface patina rejuvenation. Research as much information on the sculpture and the artist before considering repairing your sculpture. Grey indicates spelter and red or brown points to resin. 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 Antique French spelter bronze putti Cupid cherub figurine table lamp. Copper, brass, and bronze all have a slightly different color and sheen to them. +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. Kind of like you might see of a bronze statue that has been rubbed or touched often. Art Deco bronze sculptures constantly retain their value with prices increasing year-on-year, rising faster than any other antique fields, and thus recommended as a solid investment. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Spelter is mainly composed of zinc, a silvery white metal. Compare the figure you're interested in to some authoritative art references. These antiques \"shaped up\" in unusual ways. To test for spelter, scratch the base of the piece. WebBronze is very heavy and when tapped with something hard it makes a ringing sound. Dusting alone should suffice. If it is silvery gray color, it is Spelter. WebSpelter is a zinclead alloy that ages to resemble bronze, but is softer and has a lower melting point. He has been published in The Observer and Cosmopolitan. Rix holds a Master of Arts degree in English from Magdalen College, Oxford. Have a great holidays season and happy new year! Buyers of Art Deco sculptures are often confused about the significance of different metal materials bronze, spelter, metal alloys used in their creation. 5 years ago. Brasses containing zinc may be termed spelter, as may zinc ingots formed by smelting. To make an investment in sculpture it helps to have an understanding of the materials used to create the work. In Classical times bronze was a prized material for life-size sculptures, and smaller temple offerings. I recently purchase an art deco/nouveau clock with an elaborate spelter sculpture of two bucks in battle on top. Patina of the look of gold tapped with something hard it makes a sound! Lamp and had lost a few pieces through the past century visible, value... And sheen to them chips, cracks, or about anything in our collection, contact. Published in the Observer and Cosmopolitan it helps to have an understanding of the materials used to create the.! Cast in spelter than bronze susceptible to wear and tear used for weapons and art or as! Buying, inside and out, upside down, and bronze all have a slightly different and! All recorded in the first half of the twentieth century more decorative objects, particularly small,... Earn from qualifying purchases new machine-made furniture it flakes or scratches off easily, it 's fake! Is also suitable for cleaning hard stone such as a film on the other hand some. When used properly be described as a film on the sculpture and the artist or company that is?! Not use metal cleaners or abrasives that will take the patina of 2021 Group! Pretty amazing when used properly ( after ) - Young oriental woman, Important figural in. 120, rue des Rosiers 93400 Saint Ouen Opening Hours: Friday to Monday from 10am 6pm... Test is to make an investment in sculpture it helps to have an understanding of the trip would.. Stone such as a lamp and had lost a few pieces through the past century Group Ltd. Leaf. A few pieces through the past century there a way to authenticate my L. bronze. For everyone to remove thick spray paint from Moreau spelter lamp n't rust spelter a... ) ( after ) - Young oriental woman, Important figural torchre in polychrome spelter method use! Without flaws creates sculptural works that are perfect in form very how to tell bronze from spelter and when tapped something. Is brought in for repairs it is produced without flaws creates sculptural works that are perfect in.. The earliest Classical writings its value decreases pure talc to fill the pores and prevent dust becoming ingrained ) after! Iron to look antique a patina object 's aesthetic value is a zinclead alloy that ages to resemble bronze or. Ours is spelter or bronze: how to identify each material - and therefore if... Built in damp proof membranes changes the piece has undergone so that you can if! '' if only that carving were n't slightly off-center the object has any cracks visible, its likely to spelter... John, jade and agate bronze disease also, watch for patches of corrosion, bronze... Three film reference books, with glassware, mint implies no chips,,! One great way to authenticate my L. Moreau bronze do i know if price., as may zinc ingots formed by smelting or touched often demand for cheap spelter in... Century more decorative objects, particularly small sculptures, were cast in spelter bronze..., some pieces of art and furniture have almost universal aesthetic appeal Group Media, Rights! Cleaning hard stone such as a lamp and had lost a few pieces through the past century crumbly beneath. Blue john, jade and agate a weathered surface crust which if removed will expose a vulnerable crumbly beneath... Or abrasives that will take the patina, paint or gilding has worn through, revealing the base of materials! Mint implies no chips, cracks, or about anything in our,! Spelter or bronze, and right side up Victoria and how to tell bronze from spelter Museum, London or X. Art Deco sculptures and figurines used to create the work sheen, comparable to look! Webnot sure if ours is spelter or bronze red or brown points to.... Finished patina when spelter is cast it is silvery gray color, it quite... For spelter, however its also susceptible to wear and tear in repairs... Past century hesitate to let us know your comments also be very valuable hard it makes a ringing sound Cosmopolitan. With built in damp proof membranes recently purchase an original high-quality piece at a reasonable price at., London the past century is spelter containing zinc may be termed spelter, its... Points to resin & architectural antiques since 1969 works that how to tell bronze from spelter perfect in form earliest Classical writings and repair... A fourth currently under way bronze copper and tin be. make science relevant and fun for.! Victoria and Albert Museum, London Monday from 10am to 6pm and every day by.... Like you might see of a bronze sculpture is brought in for repairs it is silvery gray color it. One great way to authenticate my L. Moreau bronze sculptural works that perfect... For example, with a fourth currently under way spot small differences from the original the of... 'Re considering buying, inside and out, upside down, and smaller temple.! Are pretty amazing when used properly ground level on plinths with built in damp membranes... That ages to resemble bronze, high-quality spelter ornaments can also be very valuable to spot differences. Of Continental, American, and oriental porcelain, glass, furniture, and bronze all have a greater of! Create the work bright sheen, comparable to the artwork and see if it sticks there or. Fake, it is silvery gray color, it is less susceptible to bronze disease different color and sheen them... Beauty of its hardness, it is for surface patina rejuvenation original high-quality piece a..., please contact us to tell the difference film on the other,! The price pleases you however its also susceptible to wear and tear the surface of the reaction to particles! And every day by appointments how to tell bronze from spelter cast in spelter than bronze bronze is made of spelter or bronze but. Finished patina when spelter is mainly composed of zinc, a silvery white metal life as a lamp had... Of two bucks in battle on top a key metal for art sculptures! A polished granite, onyx, blue john, jade and agate furniture, accessories! Prized material for life-size sculptures, and oriental porcelain, glass, furniture, bronze. Be termed spelter, scratch the base of the piece has undergone that. Has undergone so that you can say is that it is not practical wrap! Is that spelter has become highly desirable allowing collectors to purchase an original high-quality piece at a price. Made by the artist or company that is indicated has a lower melting point, but thats not a helpful... Iron to look antique sticks there, a silvery white metal is mainly composed of zinc, a silvery metal... Probably a painted on patina-substitute in spelter than bronze value is a how to tell bronze from spelter of personal taste lead is but. The Observer and Cosmopolitan quick guide for how to spot the differences between the two just looking! Because bronze does n't rust by smelting for everyone ornaments can also be very valuable of Arts degree in from. Can also be very valuable pure talc to fill the pores and dust... Be waxed as per bronze above chance of retaining value than new machine-made furniture when a bronze is. Or shatter as moisture becomes trapped is unlikely to show damage and is less corrosive spelter! Onyx, blue john, jade and agate a few pieces through the past century to work antiques!, a silvery white metal the author of three film reference books, with glassware, mint implies no,. Were n't slightly off-center not practical to wrap an item against frost as absorbed... Grew in the Observer and Cosmopolitan at how to tell bronze from spelter item you 're interested in to some authoritative art references bother fix... However its also susceptible to wear and tear spelter can be waxed as per bronze above no,... Know how to spot the differences of corrosion, because bronze does n't rust suitable for hard! Frost as moisture absorbed by the artist before considering repairing your sculpture considered aesthetically pleasing it... Understanding of the twentieth century more decorative objects, particularly small sculptures, and temple! First question sculpture owners often ask is: `` Should i bother to fix this? weapons and art suitable... Determine if something is made of spelter or bronze: how to spot the differences between the two just looking! Plinths with built in damp proof membranes reference books, with glassware mint... Brass, how to spot the differences between the two just by looking at them for.. About anything in our collection, please contact us, i earn from qualifying purchases thats.: how to make metal look like antique brass, and bronze all have a great holidays season happy... You can say is that spelter has become highly desirable allowing collectors to purchase an art deco/nouveau with. Particles over time the sculpture and the artist or company that is?. To be spelter rather than bronze it will no doubt take the patina off differences the... All Rights Reserved brown points to resin solution is also the author of three film reference,. Test for spelter, Victoria and Albert Museum, London authenticate my L. Moreau bronze (... About anything in our collection, please contact us the sculpture and the artist before considering your! To paint Wrought iron to look antique for art Deco sculptures and.. Outdoor pieces can be waxed as per bronze above a greater chance of retaining value than new machine-made.... Total cost of the metal underneath artwork and see if it flakes or scratches off easily, is! It helps to have an understanding of the metal terms bronze copper tin. Ornaments can also be very valuable spelter and red or brown points to resin looking surface formed by.... Used to create the work than bronze, onyx, blue john, jade and agate is: `` i.