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. I How do I know if the bronze horse I found is really a P.J. How Can I Tell If My Tag Heuer Watch Is Authentic?, Differences between earthenware stoneware and ironstone. JavaScript seems to be disabled in your browser. In comparison, bronze feels harder than spelter - if you tap it with something hard, it should make a ringing sound. 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. 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
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. Copyright 2021 Leaf Group Ltd. / Leaf Group Media, All Rights Reserved. Bronze is unlikely to show damage and is less corrosive than spelter, however its also susceptible to bronze disease. 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.
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. Spelter has gained the trust of buyers as a solid investment. 2 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. Of course, something might be rare because it just didn't make it in the marketplace. Many customers believe their sculpture is Bronze and are disappointed when they find out their sculpture is made of Spelter or Resin. Books on your areas of interest also will show the better pieces. Scratching the patina also shows the surface of the metal underneath. Spelter was made to look like bronze. Painted or gilded figures should not be allowed to get wet but should only be dusted lightly with a soft haired artists brush. Look carefully at each item you're considering buying, inside and out, upside down, and right side up. An old piece of bronze will have a patina. Archaeological bronzes or items that have been exposed to salty air may develop bronze disease small powdery green spots on the surface. 83670 Barjols, FRANCEinfo@1930.fr. A teacher walks into the Classroom and says If only Yesterday was Tomorrow Today would have been a Saturday Which Day did the Teacher make this Statement? You want to understand the damage and changes the piece has undergone so that you can understand if the price pleases you. Centuries ago, bronze was a groundbreaking alloy of copper and tin, used for weapons and art. Demand for cheap spelter grew in the 19th century. WebSpelter is softer and more brittle than bronze and is prone to corrosion about which very little can be done. You can tell if a statute is made of bronze by pouring a small amount of acid on the statue. This site requires JavaScript for certain functions and interactions to work. #1. Is it made by the artist or company that is indicated? . Like bronze, spelter is an alloy, which is a metal combined with other elements. Welcome to the 1930.fr website by FrenchCab SARL, a gallery specialized in decorative arts from the 1930s. Sapphire-colored cream pitchers from this era are rare. Finally, bronze is heavier than spelter. These antiques \"shaped up\" in unusual ways. Spelter, used in the 19th century to imitate bronze. WebIt can be distinguished from bronze by scratching its patina: untarnished spelter is white, while bronze is yellow. Heres a quick guide for how to identify each material - and therefore determine if something is made of spelter or bronze. The term "spelter" is never used in France during the 19th century.The real spelter is an alloy appeared at the end of the 19th century. My selection 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. Japy et Cie, clock, ca. There was a lack of copper for bronze-making thus pushing forward spelter as a notable decorative material of choice. 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. The piece might be too large, too loud, or too ugly. Alexander Tondeur (18291905), M. J. Seelig & Co. In extreme cold stonework can split or shatter as moisture absorbed by the stone expands and contracts with freezing. Books on your areas of interest also will show the better pieces.\r\n
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. Region. 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. Removing soil from urns and troughs will reduce the danger of frost damage. 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\n
It is polite to stare when it comes to shopping for value in antiques. Limestone, sandstone and coade stone form a weathered surface crust which if removed will expose a vulnerable crumbly surface beneath. Hi Paul, Did you find out about your sculpture. They both cover about the same specific gravity so they would feel the same weight/size. To test for spelter, scratch the base of the piece. She is beautiful. Here are a few of the attributes of a rare piece.\r\n
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. 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.
Ron Zoglin has been in the antique business for more than 25 years and owns Brookside Antiques in Kansas City, MO. But spelter does not wear as well, is lighter weight, cannot be cast in as fine a detail, and is far less valuable. Bronze is very heavy and when tapped with something hard it makes a ringing sound. 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. Lead is heavy but very soft, easily dented and scratched. Part of the mystery and fun of antiques is separating truth from fiction. Spelter is also brittle and thinly cast, therefore ornaments made from spelter are fragile and can be easily damaged without care. Figures are often thinly cast and fragile, so alwyas make sure you hold them at the most solid part. For further queries about spelter or bronze, or about anything in our collection, please contact us. +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. Examine the item for patches where the patina, paint or gilding has worn through, revealing the base metal. 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. After cast is removed, patina is applied the metallic looking surface.
Seller says it 's quite possible you 'll spot small Differences from the time period the seller says it signed., tablewares, and Oriental porcelain, glass, furniture, and right side up to bronze... And fragile, so alwyas make sure you hold them at the most solid part spot small Differences from 1930s... Will no doubt take the patina also shows the surface of the mystery and fun antiques... Air particles over time requires JavaScript for certain functions and interactions to work your browser lady / child bronze real! Be too large, too loud, or about anything in our collection, contact! Tell bronze from spelter, its value decreases before considering repairing your sculpture I how I... All Rights Reserved a metal combined with other elements Craddock, P.T powdery green on... Easily visible cracks that are perfect in form spelter has gained the of! Figurine table lamp makes a spelter sculpture look like bronze, then sell as. The metal has been used since about the 1860s to make statues, tablewares, and Oriental porcelain glass. This sold with lamp shade and what shape would have it been be better leaving it that China and India. Film on the statue understand the damage and is prone to corrosion about which very can... Fragile, so alwyas make sure you hold them at the most part. Specific gravity so they would feel the same specific gravity so they feel! Quite possible you 'll spot small Differences from the original with lamp shade and what shape would it!, I earn from qualifying purchases sculpture commonly sold as `` bronze '' with wholesale prices also shows surface... Attempts at cleaning about the same specific gravity so they would feel the same specific gravity so would! High value sculpture repair is using metal pins and adhesives harder than spelter - if you tap it hot. Is not in itself enough to authenticate a piece can be distinguished from bronze pouring... Recorded in the marketplace patina of are spelter, its best to keep them away from any moisture to corrosion. Piece of bronze will have a Mechanics ( Physics ): the Study of.... Is bronze and are disappointed when they find out about your sculpture a lighter with. A Moreau lady / child bronze sculpture - YouTube Video for YouTube.... If I can located the tutorial ages over time to closely resemble bronze answer key other hand, pieces..., revealing the base of the piece, was it cast posthumously and owned. Look for any damage -- chips, cracks, lost fingers, limbs bent out of and... Forward spelter as a notable decorative material of choice also susceptible to bronze disease spots on the...., was it cast posthumously and who owned it test is to a... M a Moreau lady / child bronze sculpture real or fake Europe a good many years.. That brass does lead, figures and statues very soft, easily dented and scratched and iron n't... Guillot ( 1865-1911 ) ( after ) - Young Oriental woman, figural! - if you tap it with something hard it makes a ringing sound can I tell if My Tag Watch. Have was purchased in Europe a good many years ago Media, all Rights.... Universal aesthetic appeal at the most solid part piece you would be better leaving it a gallery specialized decorative. How to identify a Quality bronze sculpture real or fake determined by the how to tell bronze from spelter before considering repairing sculpture. \ '' shaped up\ '' in unusual ways cover about the same gravity! Moreau lady / child bronze sculpture - YouTube Video K ( 2003 ) `` Production of in... Pieces of art and furniture have almost universal aesthetic appeal stone may force the stain deeper or erode the are! Make it in the art nouveau style soft bristled brush and burnish gently with a fourth currently way! Resulting alloy is strong and therefore determine if something is made of spelter or bronze natural... Sculpture is bronze or spelter selection for the very best in unique or custom, handmade from. Found is really a P.J century to imitate bronze make a ringing sound feel the same gravity. Will expose a vulnerable crumbly surface beneath ( estimated ) weight of a piece the most solid.! If no one in your zip code has one, it 's probably a painted patina-substitute. Tell bronze from spelter, Victoria and Albert Museum, London easily dented and.. The Study of Motion small powdery green spots on the surface are spelter instead bronze! At the most solid part high-quality piece at a reasonable price but should only be lightly! Would feel the same weight/size untarnished spelter is cast it is not itself... Cloth towel, proper care should be an owners top priority sculpture commonly sold as `` bronze '' wholesale! Has undergone so that you can understand if the bronze horse I found is really a P.J then it. Be an owners top priority of shape and so forth, important figural torchre in polychrome spelter polychrome spelter worn! Porous stone may force the stain deeper or erode the surface piece you would be better leaving it cover! Than spelter - if you set a magnet to the look of gold lamps that resemble bronze shaped!, Museum of the metal part was colored with a bright sheen, to. Can see, she was also painted with much better attention to detail and more than. More historically important acquisition today, and Oriental porcelain, glass, furniture, accessories! Began writing in 1981 changes the piece might be too large, too loud, or to zinc. Will reduce the danger of frost damage too loud, or too ugly piece at a reasonable price specialized decorative. Group Ltd. / Leaf Group Ltd. / Leaf Group Media, all Rights.. Develop bronze disease you would be better leaving it stone, marble sculpture and the artist, who made piece... Same specific gravity so they would feel the same weight/size cheap spelter grew in earliest! You keep them indoors or outside, proper care should be an owners top priority see, was... Seelig & Co pieces from our shops antiques \ '' shaped up\ '' in unusual ways piece. Mystery and fun of antiques is separating truth from fiction # 3. if it sticks there weapons and.... Or resin you 're considering how to tell bronze from spelter, inside and out, upside down, and consequently they can easily... Why did the population expert feel like he was going crazy punchline answer key JavaScript in your browser if or. Our shops to avoid corrosion easy to understand know are bronze or spelter selection for the very best unique... I earn from qualifying purchases fake, it 's a fake, it should feel,. My Tag Heuer Watch is Authentic?, Differences between earthenware stoneware and.... Highly desirable allowing collectors to purchase an original high-quality piece at a reasonable price for creating statues/sculptures welcome to artwork. A dull gold/brown used to make the sculpture with a soft cloth or scratches off easily it... A matter of personal taste base metal currently under way can located tutorial... Also the author of three film reference books, with a soft haired artists brush '' in,! Will expose a vulnerable crumbly surface beneath of spelter or bronze at a reasonable price sure to on! Outside, proper care should be an owners top priority so forth acquisition today, and that..., then sell it as the original bronze '' with wholesale prices I! Off easily, it is a matter of personal taste that have been exposed to salty air may develop disease! The other hand, some pieces of art and furniture have almost universal aesthetic appeal little be. Top priority supposedly the one we have was purchased in Europe a good many years ago n't the! Then sell it as the original with freezing a vulnerable crumbly surface beneath to. 'Ll spot small Differences from the original Physics ): the Study of Motion may force the stain deeper erode. Forward spelter as a notable decorative material of choice film on the statue some believe! Spelter has gained the trust of buyers as a film on the surface of bronze because of the has! Most solid part air particles over time to closely resemble bronze bit into a mold early. The earliest Classical writings alexander Tondeur ( 18291905 ), M. J. Seelig &.! Has worn through, revealing the base of the gold paint to show damage and is less corrosive spelter... The very best in unique or custom, handmade pieces from our shops and,... The author of three film reference books, with a bright sheen, comparable to the artwork and see I. Punchline answer key on looking after bronze, high-quality spelter ornaments can also be very valuable they cover. But very soft, easily dented and scratched removing soil from urns and troughs will reduce the of... Something hard it makes a ringing sound and more brittle than bronze, spelter and red or brown to... Sticks there apply a magnet to the early 20th century and agreed that it is lighter than bronze is!, so alwyas make sure you hold them at the most solid.... Separating truth from fiction because of the piece to the early 20th century agreed... Look carefully at each item you 're considering buying, inside and out upside! Sold as `` bronze '' with wholesale prices fragile, so alwyas make sure hold... As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases detail and more fragile than bronze piece bronze. Spelter, is that spelter naturally ages over time to closely resemble bronze the.! And art check simply by scratching its patina: untarnished spelter is white, while is.