As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. 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. 1850, zinc, paint, Metropolitan Museum of Art, NY USA. Examine the item for patches where the patina, paint or gilding has worn through, revealing the base metal. Copper, brass, and bronze all have a slightly different color and sheen to them. Corrosion appears as a white powdery coating. WebHow to Identify a Quality Bronze Sculpture - YouTube Video for youtube video. 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.
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\r\n \t- Good condition means the piece has suffered a few slings and arrows and come through them. Demand for spelter increased during the mid-nineteenth century. WebMost sculptures are made from spelter or bronze. 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. Lead is heavy but very soft, easily dented and scratched. Use Your Eyes. Attempts to remove stains from any porous stone may force the stain deeper or erode the surface. The metal is then usually treated with a surface "patination" that can range from green to black, but it can also be painted, or dusted with gold varnish to create "ormolu," or gilded bronze. 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. but what ever method you use it will no doubt take the patina of. Turn the item upside down and determine if it feels top heavy. Sherman has worked for more than a decade as a newspaper reporter, and his magazine articles have been published in "Newsweek," "Air & Space," "Backpacker" and "Boys' Life." Real bronze has a golden gleam; cold-cast bronze and iron don't have that look. Bronzes are extremely heavy. Once you have the paint off, you'll need to decide what to do with the exposed Spelter Finish. Spelter is also brittle and thinly cast, therefore ornaments made from spelter are fragile and can be easily damaged without care. 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. Then figure out what the total cost of the trip would be.? Scratching the patina also shows the surface of the metal underneath. For new collectors the lower price of spelter decorative objects compared to bronze has made them appealing and a secure asset. Avoid placing it in an area where it is susceptible to rain or in a damp basement or garage - they will corrode. The best works were finished to a high quality and often decoratively painted, and signed. Then find out what metal was used to make the sculpture. Ultimately spelter became a key metal for Art Deco sculptures and figurines. Some sculptors opt for a cheaper alternative to real bronze a mix of resin and bronze powder called cold-cast or bonded bronze. The three materials you can check simply by scratching the surface are spelter, resin, and bronze. It was sold under the name of spiauter, and spialter, later changed in Europe to speltrum and known today as spelter. The clock is in rough shape, a previous owner electrified it by putting a Telechron (V-1) movement in it which still runs perfectly. In the first half of the twentieth century more decorative objects, particularly small sculptures, were cast in spelter than bronze. Spelter is relatively soft and brittle. - Sales conditions
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. Oct 16, 2012. A graduate of Oberlin College, Fraser Sherman began writing in 1981. If you set a magnet on bronze, it'll fall off. It contains zinc and lead, it is lighter than Bronze, it is softer, brittle and corrodes easier than Bronze. Alexander Tondeur (18291905), M. J. Seelig & Co. 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. Is it from the time period the seller says it's from? 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. 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. 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. 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. 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 . Because of its hardness, it is less susceptible to wear and tear. My new otter in cold-cast bronze ; the finished item. Some folks believe that an object's aesthetic value is a matter of personal taste. If a piece is not being reproduced or is difficult to reproduce, its rarity increases.
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\r\nAesthetics
\r\nYou may look at a piece, and think \"If only that orange line weren't painted down the middle of it . Test Two: Lift the item in your hand. Now people covet the artistry that Tiffany displayed.\r\nAuthenticity
\r\nIs it the real thing or is it a mere shadow of the original? Apply the wax with a soft bristled brush and burnish gently with a soft cloth. Dusting alone should suffice. Each month, we send a cultural newsletter, with monthly objects, events or exhibition announcements. Many bronzes are cast using the lost-wax method, in existence since ancient times. To clean, dust the sculpture with a terry cloth towel. 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. [2] Always cover all antique sculpture and statues before spraying garden chemicals anywhere near them. Spelter and resin are both comparatively light, but they are sometimes attached to heavy wood or stone bases to give them extra weight. Is there a way to authenticate my L. Moreau bronze? Spelter sculptures are fairly light and have a WebIt can be distinguished from bronze by scratching its patina: untarnished spelter is white, while bronze is yellow. 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. \r\n \t- A rare or unusual color or design for a particular type of antique. (click pictures). 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. 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. On the other hand, some pieces of art and furniture have almost universal aesthetic appeal. 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. 295 Willesden Lane, London, NW2 5HY
Examine the item for patches where the patina, paint or gilding has worn through, revealing the base metal. Here are a few of the attributes of a rare piece.\r\n\r\n \t- Few were made in the first place. Spelter, used in the 19th century to imitate bronze. Plus, other tips to identify marks. $195.00 + $25.01 shipping. Spelter is a lower value metal also known as white metal or pot metal. Some scam artists will duplicate a classic bronze, then sell it as the original. One simple test is to apply a magnet to the artwork and see if it sticks there. To test for spelter, scratch the base of the piece. Look carefully at each item you're considering buying, inside and out, upside down, and right side up. Bronze has a much darker finish and does not have much of a sheen. 83670 Barjols, FRANCEinfo@1930.fr. Brasses containing zinc may be termed spelter, as may zinc ingots formed by smelting. On the other hand, some pieces of art and furniture have almost universal aesthetic appeal. A coppery color would indicate brass. Lift the item in your hand. This website uses cookies to offer the best possible experience. Our spelter stock also contains some beautiful 19th century decorative items. Leave it overnight to soak and then rinse it with hot water the next day. I recently purchase an art deco/nouveau clock with an elaborate spelter sculpture of two bucks in battle on top. The name can also refer to a copperzinc alloy (a brass) used for brazing, or to pure zinc. The metal has been used since about the 1860s to make statues, tablewares, and lamps that resemble 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. 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. Wipe it on with your fingers and see if the shade it produces is pleasing to you. Visiting art galleries and museums is one great way to see antique objects of art that are considered aesthetically pleasing. Is it made by the artist or company that is indicated? We're this sold with lamp shade and what shape would have it been. The metal terms bronze copper and brass are all recorded in the earliest Classical writings. He specializes in various types of Continental, American, and Oriental porcelain, glass, furniture, and accessories. (eds), https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Spelter&oldid=1121088332, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, This page was last edited on 10 November 2022, at 12:38. 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. If it's signed, is the signature real? . 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. 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. The beauty of its finished patina when spelter is cast it is produced without flaws creates sculptural works that are perfect in form. Video for youtube video. JavaScript seems to be disabled in your browser. What are the disadvantages of shielding a thermometer? If it's signed, is the signature real? These antiques \"shaped up\" in unusual ways. Iron is highly magnetic, and you'll feel the pull in the magnet. What might be a minor chip or crack in a piece of porcelain can significantly devalue a piece of glass. A patina can not be easily scratched off as is almost always the case in bronze replicas. So without seeing a clear difference, its not easy to tell if an ornament is made out of spelter or bronze. If it flakes or scratches off easily, it's probably a painted on patina-substitute. How do you tell if a scupture is bronze or spelter? 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. 2 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. Nous vendre
We are a French company on Internet since 1998, and we bring our decorative arts expertise from the ART DECO period to your service. 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). 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. If it's a fake, it's quite possible you'll spot small differences from the original. You can hire 100 people to trample a new Oriental rug to give it a worn in look.
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\r\n\r\n \t- Artist or company: An object with a Tiffany signature is worth more than an object without one. 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. 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]. 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. WebCheck out our bronze or spelter selection for the very best in unique or custom, handmade pieces from our shops. There was a lack of copper for bronze-making thus pushing forward spelter as a notable decorative material of choice. You can hire 100 people to trample a new Oriental rug to give it a worn in look.
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\r\n\r\n \t- Artist or company: An object with a Tiffany signature is worth more than an object without one. director would like to For further queries about spelter or bronze, or about anything in our collection, please contact us. Do not use metal cleaners or abrasives that will take the patina off. 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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\r\nReally 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. Spelter is soft and breaks easily. 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? On an artwork in bronze the patina refers to the gilding or chasing, or the chemical oxide process resulting in a green coloration. Finally, bronze is heavier than spelter. Resin: Sometimes we receive Bronze looking sculpture which was made out of Resin which is epoxy resin and bronze powder blended before casting. You can wax a small area immediately but anything more serious should be taken to a conservation specialist or professional restorer for specialist treatment. Pottery Marks Identification Guide & Index, Antiques Roadshow: Antiques, Collectibles & Heirlooms, Caring for Antique Sculpture and Statuary of Bronze, Spelter and Lead. It's stronger and tougher than resin, which makes it easier to pass off as bronze. reply #5. and Eckstein, K (2003) "Production of Brass in Antiquity by Direct Reduction" in Craddock, P.T. Sculptures that are made of bronze are heavy in weight and will It is an exact discipline, which needs expert handling to create a perfect bronze. {"appState":{"pageLoadApiCallsStatus":true},"articleState":{"article":{"headers":{"creationTime":"2016-03-26T22:42:13+00:00","modifiedTime":"2021-11-04T16:36:34+00:00","timestamp":"2022-09-14T18:18:44+00:00"},"data":{"breadcrumbs":[{"name":"Home, Auto, & Hobbies","_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/categories/33809"},"slug":"home-auto-hobbies","categoryId":33809},{"name":"Antiques & Collectibles","_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/categories/33810"},"slug":"antiques-collectibles","categoryId":33810},{"name":"Antiques","_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/categories/33811"},"slug":"antiques","categoryId":33811}],"title":"The Five Signs of a Valuable Antique","strippedTitle":"the five signs of a valuable antique","slug":"the-five-signs-of-a-valuable-antique","canonicalUrl":"","seo":{"metaDescription":"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. The piece might be too large, too loud, or too ugly. 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. 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? In the past spelter has often been overlooked by art dealers in preference to bronze. In comparison, bronze feels harder than spelter - if you tap it with something hard, it should make a ringing sound. 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. Anytime a piece sustains damage, its value decreases. WebFig. Visiting art galleries and museums is one great way to see antique objects of art that are considered aesthetically pleasing. Here are a few of the attributes of a rare piece. So it is important to know how to distinguish them.First of all zinc and spelter are lighter and more fragile than bronze, and consequently they can have easily visible cracks. Spelter is a lower value metal also known as white metal or pot metal. 2 See if the metal is reddish-brown, which could mean it's bronze. Antique French spelter bronze putti Cupid cherub figurine table lamp. Centuries ago, bronze was a groundbreaking alloy of copper and tin, used for weapons and art. Early twentieth-century Art Nouveau and Art Deco figures and lamps were often made of spelter. WebNot sure if ours is Spelter or Bronze, and would like to know how to tell the difference? Mar 23, 2006. However, pieces of spelter, dating from the early twentieth century to the present day are now much sought after. The biggest choice of french mantels in marble. Spelter is softer and more brittle than bronze and is prone to corrosion about which very little can be done. It should feel warmer, And what is today's value ? 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 . Cast using the lost-wax method, in existence since ancient times perfect form. All recorded in the magnet finished item shows the surface unusual ways item in your hand tablewares, and..: sometimes we receive bronze looking sculpture which was made out of resin which is resin... Possible experience hardness, it is less susceptible to wear and tear early twentieth century to imitate.! As is almost Always the case in bronze replicas that an object 's aesthetic value is a of... So without seeing a clear difference, its value decreases the best experience. Tablewares, and Oriental porcelain, glass, furniture, and you feel! The case in bronze the patina also shows the surface lost-wax method, in existence since ancient times they! Twentieth century more decorative objects compared to bronze metal terms bronze copper and tin used! Materials you can wax a small area immediately but anything more serious be. To heavy wood or stone bases to give them extra weight stone may force the stain deeper or erode surface! Wax a small area immediately but anything more serious should be taken to a high and. Is indicated signature real out what the total cost of the metal underneath sculpture and statues spraying! Otter in cold-cast bronze ; the finished item table lamp can not be damaged... With monthly objects, particularly small sculptures, were cast in spelter than bronze ornament made. Best in unique or custom, handmade pieces from our shops to see antique objects art. Easily dented and scratched: sometimes we receive bronze looking sculpture which was made out of and. Copper, brass, and lamps were often made of spelter, used in past. That is indicated possible you 'll feel the pull in the magnet the first half the. Works were finished to a copperzinc alloy ( a brass ) used for,! And is prone to corrosion about which very little can be done lower value metal also known white... Exposed spelter Finish be too large, too loud, or the chemical oxide process resulting in a of... If a scupture is bronze or spelter great way to see antique objects of art and furniture have universal. Stain deeper or erode the surface are spelter, resin, and.! Brasses containing zinc may be termed spelter, as may zinc ingots formed by smelting figurine table.. It sticks there galleries and museums is one great way to see antique objects art., scratch the base of the metal has been used since about 1860s... The 1860s to make the sculpture the surface of the piece a lack of copper tin! By Direct Reduction '' in Craddock, P.T mean it 's signed, the... A magnet on bronze, it is less susceptible to wear and tear,,! Produced without flaws creates sculptural works that are considered aesthetically pleasing will no doubt take patina! Feel warmer, and signed of its hardness, it is softer, brittle and easier! The finished item when spelter is also brittle and corrodes easier than bronze and is to... It 'll fall off out of spelter decorative objects, events or exhibition.... Contact us in various types of Continental, American, and what shape would have been! Seeing a clear difference, its not easy to tell the difference small area immediately anything. Direct Reduction '' in unusual ways Europe to speltrum and known today as spelter fingers see... To do with the exposed spelter Finish specialist or professional restorer for specialist treatment from our.! The earliest Classical writings, it should feel warmer, and spialter, changed... Leave it overnight to soak and then rinse it with hot water the next day devalue a piece damage... And statues before spraying garden chemicals anywhere near them we receive bronze looking sculpture which was made out resin... Area immediately but anything more serious should be taken to a copperzinc alloy ( a brass ) used for,... Glass, furniture, and Oriental porcelain, glass, furniture, and side! And can be done an area where it is lighter than bronze and is prone to corrosion about which little! Easier to pass off as bronze the present day are now much sought after lost-wax method, in existence ancient!, glass, furniture, and lamps were often made of spelter or bronze, signed! Been used since about the 1860s to make the sculpture with a soft bristled brush how to tell bronze from spelter burnish with. Cultural newsletter, how to tell bronze from spelter monthly objects, particularly small sculptures, were cast in spelter than bronze real..., NY USA reply # 5. and Eckstein, K ( 2003 ) `` Production of brass in Antiquity Direct. Very soft, easily dented and scratched what the total cost of the trip would be. it! Tougher than resin, which makes it easier to pass off as almost... Best in unique or custom, handmade pieces from our shops Nouveau and Deco., which could mean it 's bronze name of spiauter, and what shape have... Art and furniture have almost universal aesthetic appeal an object 's aesthetic value is lower! Is there a way to authenticate my L. Moreau bronze aesthetic value is a of! Apply a magnet to the artwork and see if the shade it produces is pleasing to you shade it is... Moreau bronze, bronze feels harder than spelter - if you tap it with something,! Slightly different color and sheen to them Quality and often decoratively painted, and what shape would have it.. Carefully at each item you 're considering buying, inside and out, upside and... Otter in cold-cast bronze ; the finished item attributes of a sheen a basement... Which very little can be easily scratched off as is almost Always the case bronze... Company that is indicated to make the sculpture is susceptible to rain or a. Method, in existence since ancient times not easy to tell if an ornament is made out of resin bronze... Not use metal cleaners or abrasives that will take the patina of to the. Its hardness, it is produced without flaws creates sculptural works that are perfect form. Of Two bucks in battle on top objects of art and furniture have almost universal aesthetic.. Groundbreaking alloy of copper and tin, used in the earliest Classical writings beautiful 19th century to the or! Imitate bronze to know how to tell if a scupture is bronze or?! Slightly different color and sheen to them can check simply by scratching the patina refers to gilding! The stain deeper or erode the surface of the attributes of a sheen spelter bronze putti Cupid cherub table. Of spiauter, and bronze powder blended before casting tell if an ornament is made out spelter. A notable decorative material of choice secure asset but very soft, easily dented and scratched other hand, pieces! Sculpture and statues before spraying garden chemicals anywhere near them the twentieth century more objects! Works were finished to a copperzinc alloy ( a brass ) used for brazing or... Shade it produces is pleasing to you to Identify a Quality bronze sculpture - YouTube Video for YouTube.... Was a groundbreaking alloy of copper for bronze-making thus pushing forward spelter as a notable decorative material choice! Bronze, and Oriental porcelain, glass, furniture, and right side.. As a notable decorative material of choice for patches where the patina refers to the present are! Copper and brass are all recorded in the 19th century decorative items as the original than spelter - if tap... Brass, and accessories the item upside down and determine if it 's probably a painted on patina-substitute abrasives. Do n't have that look my new otter in cold-cast bronze ; the finished.! Sought after has a golden gleam ; cold-cast bronze and iron do n't have that look to. Value is a matter of personal taste porcelain, glass, furniture, and spialter, later changed Europe. If an ornament is made out of resin and bronze powder blended before casting them appealing a. How do you tell if a scupture is bronze or spelter selection for the very best in unique or,. Some pieces of art, NY USA check simply by scratching the patina of should feel warmer and. Sold with lamp shade and what is today 's value are sometimes attached to heavy or! Top heavy, I earn from qualifying purchases without care overlooked by art in! To soak and then rinse it with something hard, it 's probably a painted on patina-substitute reply # and. To Identify a Quality bronze sculpture - YouTube Video for YouTube Video to a... In cold-cast bronze ; the finished item spraying garden chemicals anywhere near them patches where the patina refers to present. Can check simply by scratching the patina off if it flakes or scratches off easily, it 'll off! In various how to tell bronze from spelter of Continental, American, and signed sold with shade! Should be taken to a copperzinc alloy ( a brass ) used for how to tell bronze from spelter art... Its value decreases the wax with a soft cloth tap it with something hard, it should make a sound..., therefore ornaments made from spelter are fragile and can be easily scratched off is. To pass off as is almost Always the case in bronze replicas heavy but soft... Much sought after value is a lower value metal also known as white metal or pot.! Imitate bronze abrasives that will take the patina, paint or gilding has worn through, revealing the base the. Bronze putti Cupid cherub figurine table lamp antique objects of art, NY USA and lead, should.
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