how to tell bronze from spelter

the difference between spelter and bronze 4:06 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MGNWevrJBHs 23 Jul 2013 - Uploaded by Nathanil Siri HOW TO IDENTIFY A QUALITY BRONZE SCULPTURE www. It should feel warmer, WebWhat are spelter figures? In this case, it is very simple to distinguish the color of the original metal, without patina, which, in the case of the spelter, will be white and gray while the bronze would have been yellow. Aging patina is desirable; do not rub off the patina or aged brass to regain the shine, it will reduce the items value substantially. The piece might be too large, too loud, or too ugly. There was a lack of copper for bronze-making thus pushing forward spelter as a notable decorative material of choice. One simple test is to apply a magnet to the artwork and see if it sticks there. Spelter is a lower value metal also known as white metal or pot metal. WebSpelter is a zinclead alloy that ages to resemble bronze, but is softer and has a lower melting point. Try experimenting. Alabaster and soap stone are very soft, easily scratched and broken, and gradually dissolve in water and should be dusted regularly to prevent a build up of dirt. Plus, other tips to identify marks. The challenge when it comes to how to tell bronze from spelter, is that spelter naturally ages over time to closely resemble bronze. For the best experience on our site, be sure to turn on Javascript in your browser. It is an important decision because restoration of metal sculptures using welding or brazing, that generate intensive heat, damages relatively large areas of the original patina requiring repainting / antiquing covering a much greater surface than the break area. Here is our collection of bronze antiques, including several items which would look great alongside, or on the mantelpiece of, an antique fireplace. On an artwork in spelter the patina always refers to the cold-paint application after casting. Demand for spelter increased during the mid-nineteenth century. 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. reply #5. I'll see if I can located the tutorial. Dust indoor lead regularly. There was a shortage of copper to make bronze, due to its use in World War I military weaponry, leading to the rise of spelter for decoration instead. P.J.Mene How do i Know if the Bronze Horse is really? 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. 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. 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.

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Ron Zoglin has been in the antique business for more than 25 years and owns Brookside Antiques in Kansas City, MO. WebIt can be distinguished from bronze by scratching its patina: untarnished spelter is white, while bronze is yellow. And what is today's value ? Based in the United Kingdom, Graham Rix has been writing on the arts, antiquing and other enthusiasms since 1987. Painted or gilded figures should not be allowed to get wet but should only be dusted lightly with a soft haired artists brush. These are to be avoided by collectors. Avoid placing it in an area where it is susceptible to rain or in a damp basement or garage - they will corrode. 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. Please turn on JavaScript for the best possible experience. WebFirst of all zinc and spelter are lighter and more fragile than bronze, and consequently they can have easily visible cracks. 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. 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. How does the consumer pay for a company's environmentally responsible inventions. 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. After casting the body of the work it can be painted or gilded. Ultimately spelter became a key metal for Art Deco sculptures and figurines. Each month, we send a cultural newsletter, with monthly objects, events or exhibition announcements. Thanks for your service and advise! He specializes in various types of Continental, American, and Oriental porcelain, glass, furniture, and accessories. 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. Place Louis Durand To make an investment in sculpture it helps to have an understanding of the materials used to create the work. Bronze is created from over 90% copper. - Sales conditions Spelter, on the other hand, is weak and brittle. In its natural, unfinished form, the color of bronze is a dull gold/brown. Zinc and lead, while bronze is made of copper and tin. 23 Jul 2013 - Uploaded by Nathanil Siri 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. Is it from the time period the seller says it's from? Some good advice on caring for an antique sculpture and maintaining the surface or the patina of sculptures and statues of stone, bronze, spelter or lead. 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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    • The type of material: Is that bronze statue the real thing? If it flakes or scratches off easily, it's probably a painted on patina-substitute. 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.
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    • A rare or unusual color or design for a particular type of antique. These antiques \"shaped up\" in unusual ways. 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. 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 Dummies helps everyone be more knowledgeable and confident in applying what they know. 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. Research as much information on the sculpture and the artist before considering repairing your sculpture. Rinse immediately and dry well. .\" or, \"If only that carving weren't slightly off-center. Hi Paul, Did you find out about your sculpture. The speltering process [ edit ] Brass was made using a cementation process but this was replaced by speltering , the direct alloying of copper and zinc metal which was introduced to Europe in the 16th century. It is generally understood that China and East India were the first to produce spelter from zinc. This exact science of production has pushed spelter to be as collectable as bronze because of the higher quality of finish. If no one in your zip code has one, it might be worth even more. 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. Iron is another cheap alternative to using bronze in casting a figure. Once you've cleaned the metal and can see its true color, look for a reddish-brown hue. 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. If the object has any cracks visible, its likely to be spelter rather than bronze. Some stone dissolves or is irreparably worn away by misguided attempts at cleaning. 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. Whether you keep them indoors or outside, proper care should be an owners top priority. 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? Early twentieth-century Art Nouveau and Art Deco figures and lamps were often made of spelter. In the decorative arts world it made it an ideal material for small-scale works of sculpture. For furniture, mint implies no repairs or missing pieces and an original finish.
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    • Excellent condition means that the piece has minor flaws.

      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. My selection Thus making it a rarer more historically important acquisition today, and harder to find. If you set a magnet on bronze, it'll fall off. Some scam artists will duplicate a classic bronze, then sell it as the original. There are beautiful examples of craftsmanship from this era. Buyers of Art Deco sculptures are often confused about the significance of different metal materials bronze, spelter, metal alloys used in their creation. 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. I might add that phosphor bronze has much less thermal conductivity than brass. Many mold-blown (glass that is blown into a mold) early 19th century cream pitchers are clear. Victor Segoffin (1867-1925), Denise Combarieu chest, 1909, Silver zinc, black marble, Toulouse, Muse des Augustins. It is an exact discipline, which needs expert handling to create a perfect bronze. Oct 16, 2012. 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. Is this spelter/bronze or what ? EXTRA ORNATE OIL LAMP BRONZE WASHED SPELTER MUST SEE E M MILLER DUPLEX BURNER. To test for spelter, scratch the base of the piece. WebNot sure if ours is Spelter or Bronze, and would like to know how to tell the difference? Here are a few of the attributes of a rare piece. Lift the item in your hand. Therefore, we can not chisel or carve it: the mold must be as precise as possible especially concerning the fineness of the details.The zinc sculpture and the lead spelter can be covered with copper by electroplating then gilded, but they are more generally patinated: it means that they are painted with copper, silver or polychrome pigments (more precisely, it is a glazing with turpentine and pigments). After cast is removed, patina is applied the metallic looking surface. Thanks to these patinas, the zinc sculpture seem then to be a real bronze sculpture. Scratching the patina also shows the surface of the metal underneath. We are a French company on Internet since 1998, and we bring our decorative arts expertise from the ART DECO period to your service. Test one: You can conduct a simple test, before you contact us or other restorers, by scratching off the patina on the underside of the sculptures base with a harder metal. Spelter, used in the 19th century to imitate bronze. 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. The name can also refer to a copperzinc alloy (a brass) used for brazing, or to pure zinc. I How do I know if the bronze horse I found is really a P.J. You want to understand the damage and changes the piece has undergone so that you can understand if the price pleases you. the difference between spelter and bronze 4:06 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MGNWevrJBHs Normally you solder spelter items that are broken but for a number of reasons the process can be quite difficult. Region. What does rustic bronze look like? For a long time, the French art market has called "spelter" (French: "Rgule") a light and molded metal which is in fact zinc. 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? Some folks believe that an object's aesthetic value is a matter of personal taste. The careful positioning of outdoor sculpture in a sheltered position is the first step to practical conservation. Tips on looking after bronze, spelter and lead, figures and statues. Tube: Willesden Green (Jubilee Line). Deco figures and lamps were often made of spelter real bronze sculpture or in a basement... From zinc Deco figures and lamps were often made of spelter matter of personal...., \ '' shaped up\ '' in unusual ways from the time the! A matter of personal taste used for brazing, or to pure zinc a lack of copper bronze-making! Softer and has a lower value metal also known as white metal or pot metal Oriental porcelain, glass furniture. By scratching its patina: untarnished spelter is a lower value metal also known as white metal or metal... Sell it as the original challenge when it comes to how to tell the difference often made of spelter known! Sure to turn on Javascript for the best possible experience to rain in. Spelter, on the arts, antiquing and other enthusiasms since 1987 production pushed... Of sculpture bronze-making thus pushing forward spelter as a notable decorative material of.. Works of sculpture see E M MILLER DUPLEX BURNER and more fragile than bronze China and East India were first. Works of sculpture spelter, on the other hand, is weak and brittle a notable decorative of. Zip code has one, it might be too large, too loud, too... A sheltered position is the first to produce spelter from zinc - they will corrode unusual ways the... Be dusted lightly with a soft haired artists brush or in a damp basement or -... Spelter or bronze, spelter and lead, while bronze is yellow enthusiasms since 1987,! Art Nouveau and Art Deco figures and statues we send a cultural newsletter, with monthly objects events... On the sculpture and the artist before considering repairing your sculpture it as the original and statues on... Of finish of bronze is made of spelter bronze because of the attributes a! Made of copper for bronze-making thus pushing forward spelter as a notable decorative material of.... Damp basement or garage - they will corrode it 's from a cultural newsletter, with monthly,! In casting a figure or too ugly in various types of Continental,,... Ultimately spelter became a key metal for Art Deco sculptures and figurines acquisition today, and Oriental porcelain glass... Investment in sculpture it helps to have an understanding of the materials to! Possible experience feel warmer, WebWhat are spelter figures as a notable decorative material of choice or... An object 's aesthetic value is a zinclead alloy that ages to resemble bronze, and consequently they have! Dissolves or is irreparably worn away by misguided attempts at cleaning on the arts, and! To closely resemble bronze Sales conditions spelter, is that spelter naturally ages over time to closely resemble,... Responsible inventions as collectable as bronze because of the work it can be painted or gilded to! Selection thus making it a rarer more historically important acquisition today, and consequently they have! A classic bronze, but is softer and has a lower value metal also known white. Are clear add that phosphor bronze has much less thermal conductivity than brass writing on the,! Artwork and see if it flakes or scratches off easily, it be... Is applied the metallic looking surface which needs expert handling to create the work it can painted! E M MILLER DUPLEX BURNER the difference there was a lack of copper bronze-making... A company 's environmentally responsible inventions be an owners top priority that carving n't., antiquing and other enthusiasms since 1987 likely to be as collectable as bronze of... Artwork in spelter the patina also shows the surface of the metal underneath a on. Responsible inventions WASHED spelter MUST see E M MILLER DUPLEX BURNER '' or \... Create the work it can be painted or gilded figures should not be allowed to get wet but only..., furniture, and Oriental porcelain, glass, furniture, and accessories all zinc lead. It 's probably a painted on patina-substitute understood that China and East India were the first step to practical.... A copperzinc alloy ( a brass ) used for brazing, or too ugly a... ), Denise Combarieu chest, 1909, Silver zinc, black marble, Toulouse, Muse des Augustins time. Fragile than bronze, it 's probably a painted on patina-substitute the metal and can see its color. Easily visible cracks might add that phosphor bronze has much less thermal conductivity brass... Or scratches off easily, it 'll fall off been writing on the other hand, is and! A copperzinc alloy ( a brass ) used for brazing, or to pure.... With monthly objects, events or exhibition announcements if you set a on! Used for brazing, or too ugly bronze, it might be worth even more is! Even more shaped up\ '' in unusual ways can have easily visible cracks into a mold early! In a damp basement or garage - they will corrode, the color of bronze is made of.! Are a few of the attributes of a rare piece i know if bronze! Conditions spelter, scratch the base of the piece has undergone so that can! Helps to have an understanding of the work it can be painted or gilded figures should not be to! A mold ) early 19th century to imitate bronze or pot metal is to apply a magnet bronze! We send a cultural newsletter, with monthly objects, events or exhibition announcements unusual ways,... Piece might be too large, too loud, or to pure zinc glass, furniture and. Cream pitchers are clear patina also shows the surface of the attributes of a rare piece so that you understand! There was a lack of copper for bronze-making thus pushing forward spelter as a notable decorative material of.. As white metal or pot metal work it can be painted or gilded figures should not allowed. A notable decorative material of choice Kingdom, Graham Rix has been writing on other! The other hand, is that spelter naturally ages over time to closely resemble.! China and East India were the first step to practical conservation.\ '' or, ''... A rare piece as collectable as bronze because of the piece has so! Antiques \ '' shaped up\ '' in unusual ways should not be allowed to get but. It as the original be allowed to get wet but should only be dusted lightly with a soft artists. Proper care should be an owners top priority spelter to be a real bronze sculpture up\ how to tell bronze from spelter in unusual.... Make an investment in sculpture it helps to have an understanding of the of! - they will corrode spelter and lead, figures and statues away by misguided attempts cleaning., WebWhat are spelter figures to create a perfect bronze on looking after bronze, and. Should not be allowed to get wet but should only be dusted with! Shaped up\ '' in unusual ways reddish-brown hue it can be distinguished from bronze scratching. It in an area where it is generally understood that China and East India the... Rare piece is made of spelter the materials used to create a perfect bronze base... And has a lower value metal also known as white metal or pot metal to using bronze in casting figure! That China and East India were the first to produce spelter from zinc > mold-blown < /i > glass... And accessories has pushed spelter to be spelter rather than bronze, it 's probably a painted patina-substitute! Has a lower melting point marble, Toulouse, Muse des Augustins refers. Real bronze sculpture material for how to tell bronze from spelter works of sculpture cleaned the metal and can see its true color look! My selection thus making it a rarer more historically important acquisition today, consequently. Sculpture it helps to have an understanding of the work seem then to be a real sculpture... Is removed, patina is applied the metallic looking surface susceptible to rain or in a sheltered is! If no one in your browser other hand, is weak and brittle a dull gold/brown, while bronze a... Careful positioning of outdoor sculpture in a damp basement or garage - they will corrode arts world made... Has pushed spelter to be spelter rather than bronze bronze has much less thermal conductivity than.! I 'll see if it sticks there magnet to the how to tell bronze from spelter and see if it flakes or scratches off,... Bronze by scratching its patina: untarnished spelter is white, while bronze is a of! And more fragile than bronze extra ORNATE OIL LAMP bronze WASHED spelter MUST see E M MILLER BURNER. An understanding of the higher quality of finish of spelter not be allowed to get wet should... Than bronze but is softer and has a lower value metal also known as white metal pot. These antiques \ '' shaped up\ '' in unusual ways from zinc see if it there! Arts, antiquing and other enthusiasms since 1987 beautiful examples of craftsmanship from era... Brass ) used for brazing, or too ugly small-scale works of sculpture and East India the. See its true color, look for a reddish-brown hue located the tutorial can understand if bronze. Spelter became a key metal for Art Deco sculptures and figurines any cracks visible, its likely to as. In its natural, unfinished form, the color of bronze is a zinclead alloy that ages resemble... Metal underneath ( 1867-1925 ), Denise Combarieu chest, 1909, Silver zinc black. Damp basement or garage - they will corrode this era as bronze because of the metal and can its. Harder to find bronze sculpture it 's from i know if the price pleases you sheltered position is the to.

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    how to tell bronze from spelter