how to tell bronze from spelter
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!). Some fakes use spelter zinc with a bronze finish but it isn't as richly detailed or as shiny as real bronze. Historical documents relate that in the seventeenth century Dutch traders requisitioned a Portuguese trade ship carrying a haul of zinc from the Orient. Thus making it a rarer more historically important acquisition today, and harder to find. Jean-Nol Cabanettes So without seeing a clear difference, its not easy to tell if an ornament is made out of spelter or bronze. Really great condition In an ideal world, the antique you are contemplating buying would be in exactly the same condition as it was the day it was born. Edit: See post #4 from this thread: Adamantine Finish Care and Protection The information about finishing spelter is about half-way down. 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? They both cover about the same specific gravity so they would feel the same weight/size. Check details such as facial features, fingers and so forth. If it's signed, is the signature real? 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 Spelter is soft and breaks easily. Region. 120, rue des Rosiers 93400 Saint Ouen Opening Hours : Friday to Monday from 10am to 6pm and every day by appointments. Whether your ornaments are bronze or spelter, its best to keep them away from any moisture to avoid corrosion. Painted or gilded figures should not be allowed to get wet but should only be dusted lightly with a soft haired artists brush. Also, watch for patches of corrosion, because bronze doesn't rust. Unfortunately many bronzes, produced quickly without expert handling are also available. Pliny the Elder (1st century AD), describes various types of bronzes used for decorative artistic purposes (Nat History, XXIV). Sherman is also the author of three film reference books, with a fourth currently under way. Resin: Sometimes we receive Bronze looking sculpture which was made out of Resin which is epoxy resin and bronze powder blended before casting. Like bronze, spelter is an alloy, which is a metal combined with other elements. 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. Was th By entering this site you declare Since bronze is made of copper and tin, it doesn't have the yellow coloring that brass does. Turn the item upside down and determine if it feels top heavy. She is beautiful. director would like to Painted or gilded figures should not be allowed to get wet but should only be dusted lightly with a soft haired artists brush. I have a similar one with three figures instead of two. 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. 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? Some examples of rarities in terms of size or shape include silver spoons or other utensils with a specialized purpose, such as silver stuffing spoons used for stuffing a turkey or goose or marrow spoons used for coaxing the marrow out of bones. Spelter has become highly desirable allowing collectors to purchase an original high-quality piece at a reasonable price. Marble Stone & Plaster - Looking after antique stone, marble sculpture and statues. How Can I Tell If My Tag Heuer Watch Is Authentic?, Differences between earthenware stoneware and ironstone. The metal has been used since about the 1860s to make statues, tablewares, and lamps that resemble bronze. Again, the metal part was colored with a special paint. Perhaps a porcelain figurine's finger has broken and been repaired by an expert. \r\n
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- Artist or company: An object with a Tiffany signature is worth more than an object without one. Rinse immediately and dry well. Web117 3K views 7 months ago Bronze or Spelter - Ill show you how you can tell the difference by showing you two antique sculptures. WebWhat are spelter figures? What year would this been produced? Many bronzes are cast using the lost-wax method, in existence since ancient times. The color of your spelter clock case appears to me to be more like copper rather than bronze. For the best experience on our site, be sure to turn on Javascript in your browser. Is it from the time period the seller says it's from? Plaster is very porous and water soluble, and should only ever be gently dusted with a soft bristled brush. Country. Turn the item upside down and determine if it feels top heavy -- if it does, it's not an authentic 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. The name can also refer to a copperzinc alloy (a brass) used for brazing, or to pure zinc. WebIn Classical times bronze was a prized material for life-size sculptures, and smaller temple offerings. reply #5. On the other hand, some pieces of art and furniture have almost universal aesthetic appeal. 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. However if only the items base is heavy, it could be a spelter sculpture attached to a different base, giving it extra weight. This site requires JavaScript for certain functions and interactions to work. Plus, other tips to identify marks. The piece might be too large, too loud, or too ugly. Demand for cheap spelter grew in the 19th century. Please turn on JavaScript for the best possible experience. How do you know if it's rare? Its difficult to spot the differences between the two just by looking at them. Whether you need help solving quadratic equations, inspiration for the upcoming science fair or the latest update on a major storm, Sciencing is here to help. Anytime a piece sustains damage, its value decreases. If it does, it is most likely Spelter or Resin and not an authentic Bronze. Spelter was made to look like bronze. Wipe it on with your fingers and see if the shade it produces is pleasing to you. After the object was cast, the surface was either plated with copper, which was then patinated to a dark bronze colour, or simply covered with a coloured wax or lacquer. 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? WebHow to Identify a Quality Bronze Sculpture - YouTube Video for youtube video. Part of the mystery and fun of antiques is separating truth from fiction. 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. Spelter is mainly composed of zinc, a silvery white metal. 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. 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. 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. Early twentieth-century Art Nouveau and Art Deco figures and lamps were often made of spelter. Usually, when a bronze sculpture is brought in for repairs it is for surface patina rejuvenation. What might be a minor chip or crack in a piece of porcelain can significantly devalue a piece of glass. 10am-8pm, 73, rue des Rosiers (entrance through the porch or via Marie Curie Street). #2. mickpearson. P.J.Mene How do i Know if the Bronze Horse is really? 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. Corrosion also occurs more easily in spelter. Buyers of Art Deco sculptures are often confused about the significance of different metal materials bronze, spelter, metal alloys used in their creation. About all you can say is that it is non-magnetic and not iron. He has been published in The Observer and Cosmopolitan. Rix holds a Master of Arts degree in English from Magdalen College, Oxford. I love it and paid $20 with no shade. Apply the wax with a soft bristled brush and burnish gently with a soft cloth. This exact science of production has pushed spelter to be as collectable as bronze because of the higher quality of finish. Figures are often thinly cast and fragile, so alwyas make sure you hold them at the most solid part. In a raw state it is brittle when cold but pliable when heated to 100-150 degrees centigrade. Bronze is created from over 90% copper. 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? Supposedly the one we have was purchased in Europe a good many years ago. If no one in your zip code has one, it might be worth even more. Hi Paul, Did you find out about your sculpture. It is also poisonous so always wash your hands after handling. Some folks believe that an object's aesthetic value is a matter of personal taste. Spelter is a lower value metal also known as white metal or pot metal. 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. 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 . Bronzes are extremely heavy. the difference between spelter and bronze 4:06 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MGNWevrJBHs It's stronger and tougher than resin, which makes it easier to pass off as bronze. Mix a tiny bit into a small amount of the gold paint. Text Jean-Noel Cabanettes and Rosalind Ormiston for 1930fr. 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. In Classical times bronze was a prized material for life-size sculptures, and smaller temple offerings. Our spelter stock also contains some beautiful 19th century decorative items. 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? Welding is not a reversible repair which museums prefer not to see. Dummies helps everyone be more knowledgeable and confident in applying what they know. 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. To answer this question, it is helpful to research the artist, date and provenance of the sculpture as well as the materials used. We're this sold with lamp shade and what shape would have it been. Nous vendre 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. - Site map 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 all, antique items made of spelter are a sign of the times when the material was widely used. 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. .\" or, \"If only that carving weren't slightly off-center. HI MOONMOM. 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! Here are some clues and tips to help you analyze whether an antique is authentic: 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. If there are bumps and blemishes in the surface and a lack of definition in the hands and face and, in particular, any ugly seams, then the item isn't an authentic bronze. It is essential that buyers choose only the highest quality spelter productions paying attention to the cast quality and patina. Find out more or Close X, Spelter or bronze: how to spot the differences. 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. We organize the delivery worldwide. What is the natural color of bronze? You want to understand the damage and changes the piece has undergone so that you can understand if the price pleases you. To make an investment in sculpture it helps to have an understanding of the materials used to create the work. Relative to bronze, spelter is much softer. 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 \tAesthetics
\r\nYou may look at a piece, and think \"If only that orange line weren't painted down the middle of it . HOW TO IDENTIFY A QUALITY BRONZE SCULPTURE www. 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 \tIt is polite to stare when it comes to shopping for value in antiques. Here is our collection of bronze antiques, including several items which would look great alongside, or on the mantelpiece of, an antique fireplace. Get some so-called 'gold' paint (it's not really gold, it's actually made with bronze powder) and a tube of artist's oil paint of a dark red shade (like burnt sienna). If it's signed, is the signature real? If it scratch easily and feels like plastic, it is resin. Perhaps a porcelain figurine's finger has broken and been repaired by an expert.