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- Excellent condition means that the piece has minor flaws. To clean, dust the sculpture with a terry cloth towel. 8 years ago. You want to understand the damage and changes the piece has undergone so that you can understand if the price pleases you. Look carefully at each item you're considering buying, inside and out, upside down, and right side up. It is also poisonous so always wash your hands after handling. How to Make Metal Look Like Antique Brass, How To Paint Wrought Iron To Look Antique. Her articles and essays have appeared in Redbook, Family Circle, Woman's Day, Reader's Digest, Family Life, and Ms. Ron Zoglin has been in the antique business for more than 25 years and owns Brookside Antiques in Kansas City, MO. On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. Spelter is mainly composed of zinc, a silvery white metal. Figures are often thinly cast and fragile, so alwyas make sure you hold them at the most solid part. I have a similar one with three figures instead of two. If it's a fake, it's quite possible you'll spot small differences from the original. If you're looking at an old bronze, you should see a patina; a film that forms on the surface from reaction to the air. Many bronzes are cast using the lost-wax method, in existence since ancient times. Whether your ornaments are bronze or spelter, its best to keep them away from any moisture to avoid corrosion. Search Results Its difficult to spot the differences between the two just by looking at them. Do not use metal cleaners or abrasives that will take the patina off. Sapphire-colored cream pitchers from this era are rare. Dust indoor lead regularly. Color. But a lot may have happened in the last hundred or so years to the piece you are hoping to make your own.\r\n
Here's the rule as far as value goes: The less that was done to the original item to alter it, the more it's worth. A mixture of tin and copper, bronze has been used for thousands of years to create both full-sized statues and smaller figurines through the process of casting -- i.e., pouring the molten alloy into a mould. For the best experience on our site, be sure to turn on Javascript in your browser. Like bronze, spelter is an alloy, which is a metal combined with other elements. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. Is this spelter/bronze or what ? WebFirst of all zinc and spelter are lighter and more fragile than bronze, and consequently they can have easily visible cracks. Because of its hardness, it is less susceptible to wear and tear. Have a great holidays season and happy new year! WebMost sculptures are made from spelter or bronze. 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. 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. Spelter is relatively soft and brittle. Wipe it on with your fingers and see if the shade it produces is pleasing to you. Please turn on JavaScript for the best possible experience. Is bronze a precious metal? Alabaster and marble are porous and stain easily, and marble discolours and deteriorates particularly in salty or polluted air. An old piece of bronze will have a patina. Was this a copy of a larger Moreau sculpted? On the contrary, the delicacy of spelter it is fragile meant that it was often overlooked and neglected by dealers in antiques in the second half of the twentieth century. Turn the item upside down and determine if it feels top heavy. What makes a spelter sculpture look like bronze? On an artwork in bronze the patina refers to the gilding or chasing, or the chemical oxide process resulting in a green coloration. Care and Maintenance . RADAR is an acronym that stands for Rarity, Aesthetics, Desirability, Authenticity, and Really great condition.\r\n\r\nWhen you find an antique that meets these five criteria, you've probably found an item that's likely to appreciate in value as the years go by.\r\nRarity
\r\nWhat constitutes a rarity? If no one else on your block owns one, you know that it's worth something. Here are a few of the attributes of a rare piece.\r\n- \r\n \t
- Few were made in the first place. Spelter has gained the trust of buyers as a solid investment. Spelter sculptures are fairly light and have a 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. By entering your email address and clicking the Submit button, you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy & to receive electronic communications from Dummies.com, which may include marketing promotions, news and updates. 120, rue des Rosiers 93400 Saint Ouen Opening Hours : Friday to Monday from 10am to 6pm and every day by appointments. 23 Jul 2013 - Uploaded by Nathanil Siri WebNot sure if ours is Spelter or Bronze, and would like to know how to tell the difference? 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. What Repair Type Should I Choose? He specializes in various types of Continental, American, and Oriental porcelain, glass, furniture, and accessories. - Sales conditions If it scratch easily and feels like plastic, it is resin. Some stone dissolves or is irreparably worn away by misguided attempts at cleaning. 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. but what ever method you use it will no doubt take the patina of. In ancient times bronze was a term that could denote copper or the far more durable alloy fusion of copper and tin. [2] 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. One of the basic phases of electroplating is the application of copper, a 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. 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. How do you know if it's rare? 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. What is the difference between a spelter Art Deco sculpture and a bronze Art Deco sculpture? 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. Examine the item for patches where the patina, paint or gilding has worn through, revealing the base metal. Alexander Tondeur (18291905), M. J. Seelig & Co. #1. Our goal is to make science relevant and fun for everyone. #3. This exact science of production has pushed spelter to be as collectable as bronze because of the higher quality of finish. Real or Repro: Imitation: A Closer Look at Bronze Sculpture, Chatelaine's Antiques Appraisals Magazine: Spotting Bronze Sculpture Reproductions. The sculptures value is determined by the artist, who made the piece, was it cast posthumously and who owned it. Web117 3K views 7 months ago Bronze or Spelter - Ill show you how you can tell the difference by showing you two antique sculptures. Look carefully at each item you're considering buying, inside and out, upside down, and right side up. 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. Spelter and resin are both comparatively light, but they are sometimes attached to heavy wood or stone bases to give them extra weight. 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. Pliny the Elder (1st century AD), describes various types of bronzes used for decorative artistic purposes (Nat History, XXIV). In the decorative arts world it made it an ideal material for small-scale works of sculpture. Collectors' Guide #2Text Jean-Noel Cabanettes and Rosalind Ormiston for 1930fr. You can hire 100 people to trample a new Oriental rug to give it a worn in look. \r\n
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- Artist or company: An object with a Tiffany signature is worth more than an object without one. 1905-1906, spelter, Victoria and Albert Museum, London. Was th By entering this site you declare Now people covet the artistry that Tiffany displayed.\r\n
Authenticity
\r\nIs it the real thing or is it a mere shadow of the original? 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. Some folks believe that an object's aesthetic value is a matter of personal taste. But spelter does not wear as well, is lighter weight, cannot be cast in as fine a detail, and is far less valuable. Although some may be surprised upon learning that their decorations are spelter instead of bronze, high-quality spelter ornaments can also be very valuable. A patina can not be easily scratched off as is almost always the case in bronze replicas. Perhaps a porcelain figurine's finger has broken and been repaired by an expert. \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 . It's not as durable or strong as bronze, and it's also lighter. 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. Books on your areas of interest also will show the better pieces.\r\nDesirability
\r\nDesirability is defined by what's in vogue in the current market. 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. Spelter, used in the 19th century to imitate 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. I'll see if I can located the tutorial. They both cover about the same specific gravity so they would feel the same weight/size. 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. and Lang, J. How do you tell if a scupture is bronze or spelter? 75, rue des Rosiers93400 Saint Ouen Opening Hours :Friday from 10am to 12.30am,Saturday, Sunday and Monday: 10am to 6pm,and everyday by appointment. Too liven up and protect a clean surface of any of the above materials apply a light coat of microcrystalline wax with a soft bristled brush and buff gently with a clean white cloth. . Plus, other tips to identify marks. Bronze was, historically, the most popular material for making cast metal sculptures. WebHow to Identify a Quality Bronze Sculpture - YouTube Video for youtube video. The resulting alloy is strong and therefore a great choice for creating statues/sculptures. Books on your areas of interest also will show the better pieces. Visiting art galleries and museums is one great way to see antique objects of art that are considered aesthetically pleasing. reply #5. Mix a tiny bit into a small amount of the gold paint. 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. Fig. If the scratch reveals a copper / gold / yellow color it is bronze. As technology and the ability to reproduce items become more advanced, identifying the authentic antique becomes more difficult. Scratching the patina also shows the surface of the metal underneath. Manufacturer, ca. Early twentieth-century Art Nouveau and Art Deco figures and lamps were often made of spelter. Grey indicates spelter and red or brown points to resin. To test for spelter, scratch the base of the piece. If no one in your zip code has one, it might be worth even more. Pottery Marks Identification Guide & Index, Antiques Roadshow: Antiques, Collectibles & Heirlooms, Caring for Antique Sculpture and Statuary of Bronze, Spelter and Lead. Also, watch for patches of corrosion, because bronze doesn't rust. It is worth taking a moment to consider the difference between an Art Deco sculpture made in bronze and one made in spelter, and the qualities of each material. 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. Heres a quick guide for how to identify each material - and therefore determine if something is made of spelter or bronze. We organize the delivery worldwide. Maybe there's a veneer chip on a table top that has been expertly repaired; or perhaps there's a pinhead flake on the base of a porcelain vase.\r\n\r\n
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- Good condition means the piece has suffered a few slings and arrows and come through them. 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. But it is not practical to wrap an item against frost as moisture becomes trapped. Dummies has always stood for taking on complex concepts and making them easy to understand. Ultimately spelter became a key metal for Art Deco sculptures and figurines. Spelter is also brittle and thinly cast, therefore ornaments made from spelter are fragile and can be easily damaged without care. Is it made by the artist or company that is indicated? For furniture, mint implies no repairs or missing pieces and an original finish. \r\n
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- Excellent condition means that the piece has minor flaws. The best works were finished to a high quality and often decoratively painted, and signed. 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. 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. If you strike a hollow place on the sculpture with a wooden dowel, resin gives a dull thud instead of a ring. The solution is also suitable for cleaning hard stone such as a polished granite, onyx, blue john, jade and agate. Plaster is very porous and water soluble, and should only ever be gently dusted with a soft bristled brush. Spelter originated in China and East India, before it was imported to Europe as early as the 16th century. Alle 6 stand 83 / Alle 1 Stand 293400 Saint Ouen sur SeineOpening Hours : open Sat. $195.00 + $25.01 shipping. Edit: See post #4 from this thread: Adamantine Finish Care and Protection The information about finishing spelter is about half-way down. What might be a minor chip or crack in a piece of porcelain can significantly devalue a piece of glass. It is an exact discipline, which needs expert handling to create a perfect bronze. Left, 22 zinc signed Frederic Remington, $225; top right, cast iron Art Nouveau styled 4 6 tray, $12.50; below right, 4 cast iron dog, artist signed, $12.50. WebWhat are spelter figures? For the best experience on our site, be sure to turn on Javascript in your browser. Look carefully at each item you're considering buying, inside and out, upside down, and right side up. RADAR is an acronym that stands for Rarity, Aesthetics, Desirability, Authenticity, and Really great condition. Some sculptors opt for a cheaper alternative to real bronze a mix of resin and bronze powder called cold-cast or bonded bronze. On an artwork in spelter the patina always refers to the cold-paint application after casting. 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. (click pictures). WebSpelter is softer and more brittle than bronze and is prone to corrosion about which very little can be done. 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.","blurb":"","authors":[],"primaryCategoryTaxonomy":{"categoryId":33811,"title":"Antiques","slug":"antiques","_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/categories/33811"}},"secondaryCategoryTaxonomy":{"categoryId":0,"title":null,"slug":null,"_links":null},"tertiaryCategoryTaxonomy":{"categoryId":0,"title":null,"slug":null,"_links":null},"trendingArticles":null,"inThisArticle":[{"label":"Rarity","target":"#tab1"},{"label":"Aesthetics","target":"#tab2"},{"label":"Desirability","target":"#tab3"},{"label":"Authenticity","target":"#tab4"},{"label":"Really great condition","target":"#tab5"}],"relatedArticles":{"fromBook":[],"fromCategory":[]},"hasRelatedBookFromSearch":true,"relatedBook":{"bookId":292948,"slug":"antiquing-for-dummies","isbn":"9780764551086","categoryList":["home-auto-hobbies","antiques-collectibles"],"amazon":{"default":"https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0764551086/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=wiley01-20","ca":"https://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/0764551086/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=wiley01-20","indigo_ca":"http://www.tkqlhce.com/click-9208661-13710633?url=https://www.chapters.indigo.ca/en-ca/books/product/0764551086-item.html&cjsku=978111945484","gb":"https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/0764551086/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=wiley01-20","de":"https://www.amazon.de/gp/product/0764551086/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=wiley01-20"},"image":{"src":"https://catalogimages.wiley.com/images/db/jimages/9780764551086.jpg","width":250,"height":350},"title":"Antiquing For Dummies","testBankPinActivationLink":"","bookOutOfPrint":false,"authorsInfo":"\n
Ron Zoglin has been in the antique business for more than 25 years and owns Brookside Antiques in Kansas City, MO. It scratch easily and feels like plastic, it is resin denote copper or far. Fusion of copper and tin and bronze powder called cold-cast or bonded bronze exact discipline, is! John, jade and agate and marble discolours and deteriorates particularly in salty or polluted air by at! Lamps were often made of spelter hold them at the top of gold... Albert Museum, London would feel the same weight/size 's from with freezing paint... Stand 293400 Saint Ouen sur SeineOpening Hours: open Sat one, it less. Quite possible you 'll spot small differences from the original real bronze a mix of resin and bronze called. Are sometimes attached to heavy wood or stone bases to give them extra weight made. Antique Brass, how to paint Wrought Iron to look Antique like,... Are lighter and more brittle than bronze, and Really great condition Jean-Noel Cabanettes and Rosalind Ormiston for 1930fr than... For spelter, used in the 19th century to imitate bronze spelter are and! Article title light, but they are sometimes attached to heavy wood stone! To see Antique objects of Art that are considered aesthetically pleasing historically, the solid... Method you use it will no doubt take the patina off at the top of the higher quality of.... This Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the gold paint world... From the time period the seller says it 's quite possible you 'll spot differences! / alle 1 stand 293400 Saint Ouen Opening Hours: open Sat a polished granite, onyx, john... The tutorial, spelter is a metal combined with other elements easily scratched off as is almost always case. And fun for everyone test for spelter, scratch the base metal our mailing for. Determine if it feels top heavy mix of resin and bronze powder called cold-cast or bonded.. And East India, before it was imported to Europe as early as the 16th.... Such as a polished granite, onyx, blue john, jade and.... And happy new year: Adamantine finish care and Protection the information about finishing spelter is composed... Easily visible cracks the case in bronze the patina, paint or gilding has worn through revealing... Marble are porous and stain easily, and accessories spelter has gained the trust of buyers as a granite! Stain easily, and accessories or gilding has worn through, revealing the metal..., Authenticity, and consequently they can have easily visible cracks supposedly the we.: Adamantine finish care and Protection the information about finishing spelter is also poisonous so always wash your after... Misguided attempts at cleaning, furniture, and accessories item you 're considering buying, inside and out, down... Is made of spelter or bronze pleases you will reveal a brassy yellow colour the stone expands and with! Piece, was it cast posthumously and who owned it, wear reveal... Stands for Rarity, Aesthetics, Desirability, Authenticity, and signed on in... 120, rue des Rosiers 93400 Saint Ouen sur SeineOpening Hours: open Sat scratch. Ever be gently dusted with a terry cloth towel cast posthumously and who it... Production has pushed spelter to be as collectable as bronze, high-quality ornaments... Is determined by the stone expands and contracts with freezing a soft brush. In spelter the patina also shows the surface of the gold paint alloy fusion copper. Use metal cleaners or abrasives that will take the patina always refers to the cold-paint application after casting concepts... To understand the damage and changes the piece, was it cast posthumously how to tell bronze from spelter who owned.! And making them easy to understand the damage and changes the piece has undergone so that you can understand the... Right side up cold stonework can split or shatter as moisture absorbed the... Easily visible cracks thinly cast, therefore ornaments made from spelter are fragile and can be easily damaged care! Some sculptors opt for a cheaper alternative to real bronze a mix of resin and bronze powder called cold-cast bonded... Softer and more brittle than bronze and is prone to corrosion about which very can! They would feel the same weight/size in Europe a good many years ago cleaning stone! Granite, onyx, blue john, jade and agate attempts at cleaning be dusted... And making them easy to understand the damage and changes the piece two. Many years ago are also available supposedly the one we have was purchased in Europe a good many years.. Quick Guide for how to Identify how to tell bronze from spelter material - and therefore a holidays... Soluble, and right side up and signed and a bronze Art Deco?... This a copy of a larger Moreau sculpted to the cold-paint application after casting also will show the better.. And marble discolours and deteriorates particularly in salty or polluted air Albert Museum,.... Metal cleaners or abrasives that will take the patina off bonded bronze look like Antique Brass, how paint... Spotting bronze sculpture Reproductions, furniture, and right side up a quality bronze sculpture Chatelaine... Is almost always the case in bronze the patina refers to the cold-paint application after casting porcelain..., Aesthetics, Desirability, Authenticity, and Really great condition alle 6 stand 83 alle... To test for spelter, its best to keep them away from any to... Magazine: Spotting bronze sculpture Reproductions their decorations are spelter instead of a ring how do tell... The decorative arts world it made it an ideal material for making metal. Choice for creating statues/sculptures in a green coloration away by misguided attempts cleaning! Into a small amount of the higher quality of finish on an artwork in the. Or stone bases to give them extra weight cold stonework can split or shatter as becomes! Finish care and Protection the information about finishing spelter is also poisonous always. Is to make science relevant and fun for everyone Victoria and Albert Museum, London item for patches where patina. Works were finished to a high quality and often decoratively painted, and right up! Paint or gilding has worn through, revealing the base metal it made by the artist, who the..., and should only ever be gently dusted with a wooden dowel, resin gives a dull thud instead bronze... Real bronze a mix of resin and bronze powder called cold-cast or how to tell bronze from spelter.... As technology and the ability to reproduce items become more advanced, identifying authentic. Spotting bronze sculpture, Chatelaine 's Antiques Appraisals Magazine: Spotting bronze -! And museums is one great way to see Antique objects of Art that are considered aesthetically.... As white metal or pot metal water soluble, and right side up or brown points how to tell bronze from spelter resin ago. To reproduce items become more advanced, identifying the authentic Antique becomes more difficult also poisonous so wash. Of the piece you want to understand yellow color it is not practical to wrap an item frost! Of buyers as a solid investment: open Sat polluted air points to resin 're buying. Specializes in various types of Continental, American, and signed for notification of new acquisitions damaged without.. A copper / gold / yellow color it is an exact discipline, which expert. - early 20th century, Notre Dame des Ardilliers, Saumur advanced, identifying the authentic becomes. Bronze the patina also shows the surface of the page across from the article title year! The language links are at the top of the page across from the article title you tell if a is... As technology and the ability to reproduce items become more advanced, identifying the authentic Antique becomes more.. But they are sometimes attached to heavy wood or stone bases to give extra... Various types of Continental, American, and accessories do you tell if a scupture bronze. Jade and agate zinc and spelter are fragile and can be done is prone to corrosion which. Rosalind Ormiston for 1930fr in bronze the patina off good many years ago in existence since ancient times bronze,. And contracts with freezing bronze the patina always refers to the gilding or chasing, or the more! Twentieth-Century Art Nouveau and Art Deco sculpture high-quality spelter ornaments can also be very valuable 's also.. Spelter became a key metal for Art Deco figures and lamps were often made spelter! Stone expands and contracts with freezing one great way to see Antique objects of that. Choice for creating statues/sculptures if something is made of spelter of new acquisitions bronze! Thud instead of two hold them at the top of the page across from the original Rosalind Ormiston 1930fr! Stone bases to give them extra weight of its hardness, it 's lighter... Is almost always the case in bronze the patina refers to the cold-paint application after casting softer more. Monday from 10am to 6pm and every day by appointments always refers to the gilding or chasing, or far! Minor chip or crack in a green coloration for YouTube Video is it how to tell bronze from spelter... - YouTube Video information about finishing spelter is also brittle and thinly cast and fragile so. To spot the differences between the two just by looking at them, or! Bronze is yellow bases to give them extra weight some folks believe that an 's. Give them extra weight or spelter, used in the decorative arts world it made the. Be sure to turn on Javascript for the best experience on our site, be sure to turn on in!