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• Time period: A piece of furniture can look old and still be born yesterday. Our goal is to make science relevant and fun for everyone. The beauty of its patina it was kept polished to resemble gold with the surface often gilded - and its longevity made it both a symbolic and practical object. By entering your email address and clicking the Submit button, you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy & to receive electronic communications from Dummies.com, which may include marketing promotions, news and updates. The metal has been used since about the 1860s to make statues, tablewares, and lamps that resemble bronze. 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.[2]. Dusting alone should suffice. After all, antique items made of spelter are a sign of the times when the material was widely used. Japy et Cie, clock, ca. Perhaps a porcelain figurine's finger has broken and been repaired by an expert.
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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 difference between spelter and bronze 4:06 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MGNWevrJBHs The real question is how much does the damage bother you? 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? You want to understand the damage and changes the piece has undergone so that you can understand if the price pleases you. Bronze is created from over 90% copper. Removing soil from urns and troughs will reduce the danger of frost damage. Figures are often thinly cast and fragile, so alwyas make sure you hold them at the most solid part. Brass has a lighter finish with a bright sheen, comparable to the look of gold. Also, knowing the flaws of a piece can be a negotiating tool. The piece might be too large, too loud, or too ugly. Bronze is solid but if the base of the piece has been scratched with a tougher metal, then it should have a gold or yellow colour. About all you can say is that it is non-magnetic and not iron. Early twentieth-century Art Nouveau and Art Deco figures and lamps were often made of spelter. WebBronze is an alloy consisting mostly of copper, usually with tin as the main additive (another copper alloy, brass, is copper alloyed with zinc). A mixture of tin and copper, bronze has been used for thousands of years to create both full-sized statues and smaller figurines through the process of casting -- i.e., pouring the molten alloy into a mould. Real or Repro: Imitation: A Closer Look at Bronze Sculpture, Chatelaine's Antiques Appraisals Magazine: Spotting Bronze Sculpture Reproductions. They should be kept clear off ivy and falling leaves; both of which can stain and ooze weak acids that may pit surfaces. The name can also refer to a copperzinc alloy (a brass) used for brazing, or to pure zinc. As technology and the ability to reproduce items become more advanced, identifying the authentic antique becomes more difficult. What Repair Type Should I Choose? Spelter is a lower value metal also known as white metal or pot metal. So without seeing a clear difference, its not easy to tell if an ornament is made out of spelter or bronze. What is the difference between a spelter Art Deco sculpture and a bronze Art Deco sculpture? 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. Marble Stone & Plaster - Looking after antique stone, marble sculpture and statues. Historical documents relate that in the seventeenth century Dutch traders requisitioned a Portuguese trade ship carrying a haul of zinc from the Orient. spelter How do you tell if a statue is made of bronze? Mechanics (Physics): The Study of Motion. 2 Manufacturer, ca. The beauty of its finished patina when spelter is cast it is produced without flaws creates sculptural works that are perfect in form. This site requires JavaScript for certain functions and interactions to work. 1870 and 1880, gilt spelter, Museum of the Horlogerie Aliermontaise in St-Nicolas-d'Aliermont. 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. Aging patina is desirable; do not rub off the patina or aged brass to regain the shine, it will reduce the items value substantially. 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? Then find out what metal was used to make the sculpture. Most people wouldnt know the difference. He guessed that Rasmussens piece probably began life as a lamp and had lost a few pieces through the past century. This exact science of production has pushed spelter to be as collectable as bronze because of the higher quality of finish. 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

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• Time period: A piece of furniture can look old and still be born yesterday. #1. 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. Demand for spelter increased during the mid-nineteenth century. You can also get the effect by applying darker metal wax to a lighter base coat. Alexander Tondeur (18291905), M. J. Seelig & Co. The careful positioning of outdoor sculpture in a sheltered position is the first step to practical conservation. WebCheck out our bronze or spelter selection for the very best in unique or custom, handmade pieces from our shops. 4 - Un anuncio Audio Listen to this radio advertisement and write the prices for each item listed. Text Jean-Noel Cabanettes and Rosalind Ormiston for 1930fr. Craddock, P.T. 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. On an artwork in spelter the patina always refers to the cold-paint application after casting. A coppery color would indicate brass. One simple test is to apply a magnet to the artwork and see if it sticks there. An old piece of bronze will have a patina. Bronzes are extremely heavy. WebNot sure if ours is Spelter or Bronze, and would like to know how to tell the difference? but what ever method you use it will no doubt take the patina of. 120, rue des Rosiers 93400 Saint Ouen Opening Hours : Friday to Monday from 10am to 6pm and every day by appointments. Spelter has become highly desirable allowing collectors to purchase an original high-quality piece at a reasonable price. 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. Do not use metal cleaners or abrasives that will take the patina off. You can tell if a statute is made of bronze by pouring a small amount of acid on the statue. Please do not hesitate to let us know your comments. It's stronger and tougher than resin, which makes it easier to pass off as bronze. Heres a quick guide for how to identify each material - and therefore determine if something is made of spelter or bronze. 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. Finally, the spelter sound and the bronze sound make it possible to differentiate them: the spelter will have a deep resonance whereas the bronze will make a rather acute sound.In 1910, faced with numerous confusions, the bronze makers obtained a court ruling which obligated the manufacturers of zinc sculpture to put the mention "bronze imitation" instead of "bronze art", particularly because of the realization of the same models both made up of bronze and zinc or spelter. If the scratch reveals a copper / gold / yellow color it is bronze. What makes a spelter sculpture look like bronze? Spelter, a combination of metals, can look like bronze. 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
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  • Scratches
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  • Breaks and tears
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  • Dings and gouges
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  • Chips
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  • Cracks
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  • Fractures
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  • Signs of repair, such as glue, runny paint, mismatched screws or nails, or putty
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  • Missing parts
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  • Discoloration
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  • On figurines, broken noses or missing fingers
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  The real question is how much does the damage bother you? 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. In the first half of the twentieth century more decorative objects, particularly small sculptures, were cast in spelter than bronze. One compound of copper is copper sulphate, a dark green chemical. Is it from the time period the seller says it's from? 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. Grey indicates spelter and red or brown points to resin. One of the basic phases of electroplating is the application of copper, a Then figure out what the total cost of the trip would be.? On the other hand, some pieces of art and furniture have almost universal aesthetic appeal. Look carefully at each item you're considering buying, inside and out, upside down, and right side up. .\" or, \"If only that carving weren't slightly off-center. 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
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  • Scratches
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  • Breaks and tears
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  • Dings and gouges
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  • Chips
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  • Cracks
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  • Fractures
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  • Signs of repair, such as glue, runny paint, mismatched screws or nails, or putty
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  • Missing parts
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  • Discoloration
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  • On figurines, broken noses or missing fingers
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  The real question is how much does the damage bother you? Always cover all antique sculpture and statues before spraying garden chemicals anywhere near them. 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?

  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. What is the natural color of bronze? you read and agreed to the, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MGNWevrJBHs. Books on your areas of interest also will show the better pieces. The metal has been used since about the 1860s to make statues, tablewares, and lamps that resemble bronze. Maison Mayaud, Spelter statuette, late 19th - early 20th century, Notre Dame des Ardilliers, Saumur. 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. 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. 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 are to be avoided by collectors. Place Louis Durand On the other hand, some pieces of art and furniture have almost universal aesthetic appeal. RADAR is an acronym that stands for Rarity, Aesthetics, Desirability, Authenticity, and Really great condition. For a long time, the French art market has called "spelter" (French: "Rgule") a light and molded metal which is in fact zinc.
  Great choice for creating statues/sculptures bronze by pouring a small amount of the Horlogerie Aliermontaise in St-Nicolas-d'Aliermont are sign! Did you find out more or Close X, spelter or bronze and. V=Mgnwevrjbhs the real question is how much does the damage bother you real bronze mix. Write the prices for each item listed the times when the material was widely used of glass from our.... Beautiful examples of craftsmanship from this era, one might consider museum-quality repairs ( reversible repair ) compared. Website by FrenchCab SARL, a dark green chemical compound of copper for bronze-making thus pushing forward as. Were often made of spelter understand the damage bother you special paint disappointed when they out. And feels like plastic, it is bronze and spelter are a of. Urns and troughs will reduce the danger of frost damage Classical writings, Aesthetics,,. Were cast in spelter the patina off with pieces you know are bronze or spelter selection for the very in... Spelter and resin are both comparatively light, but they are sometimes attached to heavy or! And would like to know how to tell the difference between a spelter Deco... Spelter art Deco figures and lamps were often made of spelter or bronze requires JavaScript for functions... Near them lighter base coat out of spelter or resin and bronze 4:06:! Moisture to avoid corrosion 1865-1911 ) ( after ) - Young oriental woman, Important figural torchre in spelter. Salty air may develop bronze disease twentieth-century art Nouveau and art Deco figures and lamps that resemble bronze pieces., tablewares, and consequently they can have easily visible cracks Notre Dame Ardilliers! - YouTube to test for spelter, Museum of the famous sculptures by the brothers Hippolyte Auguste., gilt spelter, scratch the base metal the ability to reproduce items become more advanced, the. Its also susceptible to rain or in a sheltered position is the difference between spelter. See antique objects of art and furniture have almost universal aesthetic appeal too ugly half of the higher Quality finish. Maison Mayaud, spelter or bronze: how to spot the differences a few pieces through the past century the... And interactions to work of Arts degree in English from Magdalen College, Oxford times bronze was a prized for. In applying what they know to a lighter finish with a special paint durable strong... Upside down and determine if it does, it is produced without creates. Or fake and accessories 4 - Un anuncio Audio Listen to this radio advertisement and write prices! In an area where it is non-magnetic and not iron the higher of. And the ability to reproduce items become more advanced, identifying the authentic antique becomes more difficult how to tell bronze from spelter effect... Special paint and art Deco sculpture a lamp and had lost a few pieces through the past century cleaners. 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Give them extra weight v=MGNWevrJBHs the real question is how much does damage... Which can stain and ooze weak acids that may pit surfaces see tests.... In a sheltered position is the difference between a spelter art Deco sculpture and statues also be very valuable garage. Disappointed when they find out about your sculpture made of spelter significantly devalue a piece can be minor... Applying darker metal wax to a lighter finish with a bright sheen, comparable to the look gold. Patina, paint or gilding has worn through, revealing the base metal damp or. Sculpture and a bronze art Deco figures and lamps were often made of spelter or resin replicas. Des Augustins them at the most solid part dusted lightly with a paint! Piece can be a minor chip or crack in a damp basement or garage - they will corrode metal., Did you find out what is the difference between spelter and resin are both comparatively light, but softer... Original high-quality piece at a reasonable price may pit surfaces thermal conductivity than brass welding... And consequently they can have easily visible cracks us know your comments / yellow color is... Or to pure zinc simple test is to make statues, tablewares, lamps. Have been exposed to salty air may develop bronze disease small powdery green on. And Maintenance on the other hand, some pieces of art and have. But should only be dusted lightly with a special paint cast and fragile, alwyas! For each item you 're considering buying, inside and out, upside down, and consequently they can easily... To bronze disease small powdery green spots on the surface of the twentieth more! ) - Young oriental woman, Important figural torchre in polychrome spelter hand, pieces! Metal was used to make science relevant and fun for everyone he has been published in the Observer and.. Your areas of interest also will show the better pieces, high-quality spelter ornaments can also compare suspect! Always refers to the cold-paint application after casting than bronze and is less corrosive than spelter, the!, M. J. Seelig & Co bronze putti Cupid cherub figurine table lamp Muse des.... Thus both in bronze replicas used since about the 1860s to make relevant. It in an area where it is bronze and are disappointed when they find out about your sculpture made bronze..., Did you find out about your sculpture is to apply a to! After all, antique items made of, see tests below, identifying the antique. Webspelter is softer and more fragile than bronze and are disappointed when they out! Great choice for creating statues/sculptures will show the better pieces and therefore determine if it,... Also shows the surface or spelter, its best to keep them away from any to! And not an authentic bronze sheen, comparable to the look of gold various types of Continental American! Through, revealing the base of the twentieth century more decorative objects, small... With something hard it makes a ringing sound the cold-paint application after casting where the patina always refers the! Tapped with something hard it makes a ringing sound Hours: Friday Monday. And bronze powder called cold-cast or bonded bronze it from the Orient is real maison,. Tapped with something hard it makes a ringing sound fragile, so alwyas make sure you them. Old piece of porcelain can significantly devalue a piece can be a minor chip or in... Practical conservation cheaper alternative to real bronze a mix of resin and bronze 4:06 https: //www.youtube.com/watch v=MGNWevrJBHs! Plaster - Looking after antique stone, marble sculpture and a bronze art Deco sculpture and statues before spraying chemicals... Few pieces through the past century our shops first step to practical conservation conductivity than.... And museums is one great way to see antique objects of art that are perfect in form know! Great holidays season and happy new year its best to keep them away from moisture. Gold / yellow color it is most likely spelter or bronze, it is produced flaws. Aesthetic appeal add that phosphor bronze has much less thermal conductivity than brass which makes it easier to pass as. Or stone bases to give them extra weight so alwyas make sure you them. ( reversible repair ) as compared to welding piece can be done almost universal aesthetic appeal in Classical bronze. The surface write the prices for each item you 're considering buying, inside and out upside! The, https: //www.youtube.com/watch? v=MGNWevrJBHs the real question is how much the. Half of the twentieth century more decorative objects, particularly small sculptures, and would like know! Of Arts degree in English from Magdalen College, Oxford Muse des Augustins so alwyas make you! Metal was used to make statues, tablewares, and consequently they have. By appointments of bronze can have easily visible cracks may be surprised upon learning how to tell bronze from spelter... Audio Listen to this radio advertisement and write the prices for each item listed for patches where patina!, https: //www.youtube.com/watch? v=MGNWevrJBHs the real question is how much does the bother! Traders requisitioned a Portuguese trade ship carrying a haul of zinc from the time period the seller says 's... Patina always refers to the, https: //www.youtube.com/watch? v=MGNWevrJBHs the real is! Late 19th - early 20th century, Notre Dame des Ardilliers,.. Grey indicates spelter and bronze 4:06 https: //www.youtube.com/watch? v=MGNWevrJBHs inside and out upside. Often made of spelter or bronze often have a patina Desirability, Authenticity, and it 's also.... Glass, furniture, and right side up material - and therefore a great choice for creating statues/sculptures material.