Historical documents relate that in the seventeenth century Dutch traders requisitioned a Portuguese trade ship carrying a haul of zinc from the Orient. 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. We organize the delivery worldwide. Is it made by the artist or company that is indicated? WebHow to Identify a Quality Bronze Sculpture - YouTube Video for youtube video. In ancient times bronze was a term that could denote copper or the far more durable alloy fusion of copper and tin. On an artwork in spelter the patina always refers to the cold-paint application after casting. Test Two: Lift the item in your hand. 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. 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. 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. Part of the mystery and fun of antiques is separating truth from fiction. #2. mickpearson. Is this spelter/bronze or what ? Since bronze is made of copper and tin, it doesn't have the yellow coloring that brass does. 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. 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. There are beautiful examples of craftsmanship from this era. Here are a few of the attributes of a rare piece.\r\n
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    • Few were made in the first place. 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. This site requires JavaScript for certain functions and interactions to work. Still, I personally don't care much for the effect. Rinse immediately and dry well. 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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    • Good condition means the piece has suffered a few slings and arrows and come through them. 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. He dated the piece to the early 20th century and agreed that it is in the art nouveau style. The sculptures value is determined by the artist, who made the piece, was it cast posthumously and who owned it. and Eckstein, K (2003) "Production of Brass in Antiquity by Direct Reduction" in Craddock, P.T. WebWhat are spelter figures? have a golden color. 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. Click on the button below to be on our mailing list for notification of new acquisitions. Spelter has become highly desirable allowing collectors to purchase an original high-quality piece at a reasonable price. Webanswer. This website uses cookies to offer the best possible experience. How do you know if it's rare? Compare the figure you're interested in to some authoritative art references. 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. But spelter does not wear as well, is lighter weight, cannot be cast in as fine a detail, and is far less valuable. Examine the item for patches where the patina, paint or gilding has worn through, revealing the base metal. However, a signature is not in itself enough to authenticate a piece. Unpainted spelter can be waxed as per bronze above. is an arts writer and author specializing in art, architecture and design history. Sherman is also the author of three film reference books, with a fourth currently under way. HI MOONMOM. After cast is removed, patina is applied the metallic looking surface. 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!). Welding or Adhesive? .\" or, \"If only that carving weren't slightly off-center. EXTRA ORNATE OIL LAMP BRONZE WASHED SPELTER MUST SEE E M MILLER DUPLEX BURNER. For the best experience on our site, be sure to turn on Javascript in your browser. Edit: See post #4 from this thread: Adamantine Finish Care and Protection The information about finishing spelter is about half-way down. This exact science of production has pushed spelter to be as collectable as bronze because of the higher quality of finish. Of course, something might be rare because it just didn't make it in the marketplace. Tube: Willesden Green (Jubilee Line). But it is not practical to wrap an item against frost as moisture becomes trapped. 83670 Barjols, FRANCEinfo@1930.fr. Examine the item for patches where the patina, paint or gilding has worn through, revealing the base metal. 10am-8pm, 73, rue des Rosiers (entrance through the porch or via Marie Curie Street). 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 . My new otter in cold-cast bronze ; the finished item. Look carefully at each item you're considering buying, inside and out, upside down, and right side up. Art Deco bronze sculptures constantly retain their value with prices increasing year-on-year, rising faster than any other antique fields, and thus recommended as a solid investment. 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. How do you tell if a scupture is bronze or spelter? You can also compare a suspect figure with pieces you know are bronze. Once you have the paint off, you'll need to decide what to do with the exposed Spelter Finish. 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. 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. P.J.Mene How do i Know if the Bronze Horse is really? To make an investment in sculpture it helps to have an understanding of the materials used to create the work. Marble Stone & Plaster - Looking after antique stone, marble sculpture and statues. There was a lack of copper for bronze-making thus pushing forward spelter as a notable decorative material of choice. Painted or gilded figures should not be allowed to get wet but should only be dusted lightly with a soft haired artists brush. Bronze has a much darker finish and does not have much of a sheen. For example, only royalty or the rich could afford gold boxes for snuff, so only a few were made.
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  • Few of the original pieces remain. Spelter is also brittle and thinly cast, therefore ornaments made from spelter are fragile and can be easily damaged without care. 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? It's stronger and tougher than resin, which makes it easier to pass off as bronze. For the best experience on our site, be sure to turn on Javascript in your browser. Removing soil from urns and troughs will reduce the danger of frost damage. 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. WebIt can be distinguished from bronze by scratching its patina: untarnished spelter is white, while bronze is yellow. #1. 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. Bronze is created from over 90% copper. The piece is then rubbed back to highlight features and polished with wax. For further queries about spelter or bronze, or about anything in our collection, please contact us. Copyright 2021 Leaf Group Ltd. / Leaf Group Media, All Rights Reserved. +33 (0)1 42 25 12 79 Tue.-Sat., from 10am to 6pm+33 (0)6 60 62 61 90 Everyday from 9am to 7pm. Spelter and resin are both comparatively light, but they are sometimes attached to heavy wood or stone bases to give them extra weight. My selection 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. I recently purchase an art deco/nouveau clock with an elaborate spelter sculpture of two bucks in battle on top. 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. What year would this been produced? Mar 23, 2006. In fact, spelter is referred to as "the poor man's bronze," because it was created for those who admired bronze and couldn't afford it. 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. Also, knowing the flaws of a piece can be a negotiating tool. Archaeological bronzes or items that have been exposed to salty air may develop bronze disease small powdery green spots on the surface. Dummies helps everyone be more knowledgeable and confident in applying what they know. What might be a minor chip or crack in a piece of porcelain can significantly devalue a piece of glass. 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. Nous vendre Is bronze a precious metal? He specializes in various types of Continental, American, and Oriental porcelain, glass, furniture, and accessories. If you set a magnet on bronze, it'll fall off. It is generally understood that China and East India were the first to produce spelter from zinc. To answer this question, it is helpful to research the artist, date and provenance of the sculpture as well as the materials used. For furniture, mint implies no repairs or missing pieces and an original finish.
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