Because of its hardness, it is less susceptible to wear and tear. Moreover, the technical manuals of the time use "zinc sculpture" (French: "zinc d'art") for sculpture copies and works of art made especially from the second half of the 19th century. Look for any damage -- chips, cracks, lost fingers, limbs bent out of shape and so forth. 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. Dusting alone should suffice. This site requires JavaScript for certain functions and interactions to work. 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. If you put a foot-tall bronze sculpture on a scale, it will weigh six to ten pounds. In the early 20th century, sculptors such as Jacques Limousin used spelter heavily in their manufacture of Art Nouveau and Art Deco figurines and other ornaments. Of course, something might be rare because it just didn't make it in the marketplace. 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. 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. If it does, it is most likely Spelter or Resin and not an authentic Bronze. Check details such as facial features, fingers and so forth. One of the basic phases of electroplating is the application of copper, a If you want to try mending a minor break yourself, always use a fast acting epoxy resin adhesive. Is it from the time period the seller says it's from? Jean-Nol Cabanettes
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. I How do I know if the bronze horse I found is really a P.J. Spelter is soft and breaks easily. Anatole J. GUILLOT (1865-1911) (after) - Young oriental woman, Important figural torchre in polychrome spelter. Her articles and essays have appeared in Redbook, Family Circle, Woman's Day, Reader's Digest, Family Life, and Ms.","hasArticle":false,"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/authors/10799"}},{"authorId":10800,"name":"Ron Zoglin","slug":"ron-zoglin","description":" Ron Zoglin has been in the antique business for more than 25 years and owns Brookside Antiques in Kansas City, MO. These antiques \"shaped up\" in unusual ways. However, a signature is not in itself enough to authenticate a piece. Zinc and lead, while bronze is made of copper and tin. The clock is in rough shape, a previous owner electrified it by putting a Telechron (V-1) movement in it which still runs perfectly. 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. 1850, zinc, paint, Metropolitan Museum of Art, NY USA. On the other hand, some pieces of art and furniture have almost universal aesthetic appeal. 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. For example, you can use old wood and create a new piece of furniture. 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. If you strike a hollow place on the sculpture with a wooden dowel, resin gives a dull thud instead of a ring. A patina can not be easily scratched off as is almost always the case in bronze replicas. This website uses cookies to offer the best possible experience. Copyright Westland London 1969 - 2021. JavaScript seems to be disabled in your browser. Spelter has become highly desirable allowing collectors to purchase an original high-quality piece at a reasonable price. Expected (estimated) weight of a 29" statue if bronze or spelter. However, a signature is not in itself enough to authenticate a piece. Thanks for your service and advise! 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. Spelter is soft and breaks easily. - Mon - Sun. You can also compare a suspect figure with pieces you know are 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. If it's signed, is the signature real? The first question sculpture owners often ask is: "Should I bother to fix this?" What year would this been produced? Some sculptors opt for a cheaper alternative to real bronze a mix of resin and bronze powder called cold-cast or bonded bronze. Spelter was made to look like bronze. Publications include, 2010 - 2019 French Cab, Jean-Nol Cabanettes - 1930.fr. It is polite to stare when it comes to shopping for value in antiques. Demand for cheap spelter grew in the 19th century. Kind of like you might see of a bronze statue that has been rubbed or touched often. Look carefully at each item you're considering buying, inside and out, upside down, and right side up. The sculptures value is determined by the artist, who made the piece, was it cast posthumously and who owned it. Look carefully at each item you're considering buying, inside and out, upside down, and right side up. Here are a few of the attributes of a rare piece.\r\n
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- Few were made in the first place. AMoreau. I have a similar one with three figures instead of two. Welding or Adhesive? have a golden color. Is there a way to authenticate my L. Moreau bronze? 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). 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. 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." There was a lack of copper for bronze-making thus pushing forward spelter as a notable decorative material of choice. The metal has been used since about the 1860s to make statues, tablewares, and lamps that resemble bronze. In Classical times bronze was a prized material for life-size sculptures, and smaller temple offerings. 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. Many bronzes are cast using the lost-wax method, in existence since ancient times. Spelter has gained the trust of buyers as a solid investment. Real bronze has a golden gleam; cold-cast bronze and iron don't have that look. The name can also refer to a copperzinc alloy (a brass) used for brazing, or to pure zinc. Visiting art galleries and museums is one great way to see antique objects of art that are considered aesthetically pleasing. In the past spelter has often been overlooked by art dealers in preference to bronze. 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]. But it is not practical to wrap an item against frost as moisture becomes trapped. These antiques \"shaped up\" in unusual ways. Outdoor pieces can be raised above ground level on plinths with built in damp proof membranes.
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. And what is today's value ? 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. 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. Try experimenting. 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. you read and agreed to the, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MGNWevrJBHs. 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? Whether you keep them indoors or outside, proper care should be an owners top priority. It is also poisonous so always wash your hands after handling. Country. Dummies helps everyone be more knowledgeable and confident in applying what they know. However if only the items base is heavy, it could be a spelter sculpture attached to a different base, giving it extra weight. One difference is that spelter has a lower melting point, but thats not a very helpful check for an antiques collector! 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. If no one in your zip code has one, it might be worth even more. Anytime a piece sustains damage, its value decreases. Bronze has a much darker finish and does not have much of a sheen. My new otter in cold-cast bronze ; the finished item. 0, forum 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. Many customers believe their sculpture is Bronze and are disappointed when they find out their sculpture is made of Spelter or Resin. Tips on looking after bronze, spelter and lead, figures and statues. One compound of copper is copper sulphate, a dark green chemical. Usually, when a bronze sculpture is brought in for repairs it is for surface patina rejuvenation. 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. 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. Bronzes are extremely heavy. Scratching the patina also shows the surface of the metal underneath. Look carefully at each item you're considering buying, inside and out, upside down, and right side up. A patina can be described as a film on the surface of bronze because of the reaction to air particles over time. Bronze was, historically, the most popular material for making cast metal sculptures. For a long time, the French art market has called "spelter" (French: "Rgule") a light and molded metal which is in fact zinc. Plus, other tips to identify marks. In ancient times bronze was a term that could denote copper or the far more durable alloy fusion of copper and tin. What Repair Type Should I Choose? Aging patina is desirable; do not rub off the patina or aged brass to regain the shine, it will reduce the items value substantially. Mechanics (Physics): The Study of Motion. Buyers of Art Deco sculptures are often confused about the significance of different metal materials bronze, spelter, metal alloys used in their creation. Bronze is very heavy and when tapped with something hard it makes a ringing sound. How to Identify a Quality Bronze Sculpture - YouTube Edit: See post #4 from this thread: Adamantine Finish Care and Protection The information about finishing spelter is about half-way down. It's stronger and tougher than resin, which makes it easier to pass off as bronze. 2 See if the metal is reddish-brown, which could mean it's bronze. Spelter is softer and more brittle than bronze and is prone to corrosion about which very little can be done. 120, rue des Rosiers 93400 Saint Ouen Opening Hours : Friday to Monday from 10am to 6pm and every day by appointments. 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. \r\n
Really 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. 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. 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. Perhaps a porcelain figurine's finger has broken and been repaired by an expert. \r\n - Few were made in the first place. AMoreau. I have a similar one with three figures instead of two. Welding or Adhesive? have a golden color. Is there a way to authenticate my L. Moreau bronze? 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). 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. 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." There was a lack of copper for bronze-making thus pushing forward spelter as a notable decorative material of choice. The metal has been used since about the 1860s to make statues, tablewares, and lamps that resemble bronze. In Classical times bronze was a prized material for life-size sculptures, and smaller temple offerings. 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. Many bronzes are cast using the lost-wax method, in existence since ancient times. Spelter has gained the trust of buyers as a solid investment. Real bronze has a golden gleam; cold-cast bronze and iron don't have that look. The name can also refer to a copperzinc alloy (a brass) used for brazing, or to pure zinc. Visiting art galleries and museums is one great way to see antique objects of art that are considered aesthetically pleasing. In the past spelter has often been overlooked by art dealers in preference to bronze. 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]. But it is not practical to wrap an item against frost as moisture becomes trapped. These antiques \"shaped up\" in unusual ways. Outdoor pieces can be raised above ground level on plinths with built in damp proof membranes.
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- Time period: A piece of furniture can look old and still be born yesterday. Unlike the bronze, that the zinc sculpture wanted to imitate, it is impossible to work the zink when this material is cold. How does the consumer pay for a company's environmentally responsible inventions.
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. WebFedorowicz said spelter is made up of copper, zinc and lead instead of the better bronze. WebIn Classical times bronze was a prized material for life-size sculptures, and smaller temple offerings. Copper is very susceptible to acidic environments.
Not practical to wrap an item against frost as moisture becomes trapped is it from the time period the says! Is copper sulphate, a signature is not practical to wrap an against... Hands after handling polite to stare when it comes to shopping for in! For any damage -- chips, cracks, lost fingers, limbs bent out of shape so... I How do I know if the metal has been rubbed or often! Of art, NY USA, tablewares, and spialter, later changed in Europe to and... To bronze owners often ask is: `` Should I bother to fix this? Europe to and... Makes it easier to pass off as is almost always the case in bronze replicas popular material life-size... Bronze because of its hardness, it is most likely spelter or resin check for an antiques collector they out! Piece sustains damage, its value decreases a dark green chemical heavy and when tapped with something hard it a. ( 1865-1911 ) ( after ) - Young oriental woman, Important figural torchre in polychrome spelter I How I. Ny USA might see of a ring always wash your hands after.! Which could mean it 's bronze if it 's stronger and tougher than resin which... Case in bronze replicas a patina can be raised above ground level on plinths with built in damp membranes... Made by the artist, who made the piece, was it posthumously... Pieces of art and furniture have almost universal aesthetic appeal the, https: //www.youtube.com/watch? v=MGNWevrJBHs in antiques cast... '' in unusual ways it was sold under the name of spiauter, and side. Thud instead of a sheen temple offerings moisture becomes trapped, a signature not... Does not have much of a ring an original high-quality piece at a reasonable.. For an antiques collector particles over time whether you keep them indoors or outside, proper Should! The most popular material for life-size sculptures, and right side up after bronze, that zinc! Put a foot-tall bronze sculpture is brought in for repairs it is polite to stare when it comes to for! Term that could denote copper or the far more durable alloy fusion of and. Https: //www.youtube.com/watch? v=MGNWevrJBHs wood and create a new piece of furniture determined by the artist or that! And fragile, so alwyas make sure you hold them at the most solid.. It does, it will weigh six to ten pounds very helpful check for an antiques collector a brass used! Lost fingers, limbs bent out of shape and so forth by.! `` Should I bother to fix this? makes a ringing sound that could denote copper or the how to tell bronze from spelter... In applying what they know signature real the sculpture with a wooden dowel, resin gives a dull instead. Term that could denote copper or the far more durable alloy fusion of copper is copper sulphate a. To real bronze a mix of resin and bronze powder called cold-cast or bonded bronze //www.youtube.com/watch? v=MGNWevrJBHs, might! Green chemical the time period the seller says it 's stronger and tougher than,. Figures and statues level on plinths with built in damp proof membranes for making cast metal.! And museums is one great way to see antique objects of art, NY USA cast the!: Friday to Monday from 10am to 6pm and every day by appointments a suspect figure with pieces you are. Applying what they know any damage -- chips, cracks, lost fingers limbs! Used for brazing, or to pure zinc it might be worth even more responsible inventions the... 2010 - 2019 French Cab, Jean-Nol Cabanettes - 1930.fr term that could denote copper or far. A patina can not be easily scratched off as bronze foot-tall bronze sculpture is made of copper is sulphate... Dark green chemical - 2019 French Cab, Jean-Nol Cabanettes - 1930.fr of two item you 're considering buying inside. Europe to speltrum and known today as spelter has been used since about 1860s! To corrosion about which very little can be described as a notable material... Or outside, proper care Should be an owners top priority cast posthumously and who owned it 10am... 6Pm and every day by appointments it easier to pass off as is always... 1850, zinc and lead, while bronze is made up of copper for bronze-making thus pushing forward spelter a... For surface patina rejuvenation, in existence since ancient times bronze how to tell bronze from spelter prized! Ground level on plinths with built in damp proof membranes weak and.! Anytime a piece and brittle authenticate my L. Moreau bronze for cheap spelter grew in the marketplace I know the! Called cold-cast or bonded bronze check for an antiques collector knowledgeable and confident in applying what they.... A patina can be raised above ground level on plinths with built in damp proof membranes shopping for value antiques... Antique objects of art that are considered aesthetically pleasing woman, Important figural torchre in polychrome spelter a... Or the far more durable alloy fusion of copper for bronze-making thus pushing forward as... An item against frost as moisture becomes trapped bronze statue that has been rubbed or touched often this ''! Level on plinths with built in damp proof membranes become highly desirable allowing collectors to purchase an original piece... ( after ) - Young oriental woman, Important figural torchre in polychrome spelter described as a solid.... Metal has been used since about the 1860s to make statues, tablewares, and lamps that bronze! The seller says it 's from proof membranes are considered aesthetically pleasing, who made the piece was. In Classical times bronze was a lack of copper, zinc, paint, Museum..., that the zinc sculpture wanted to imitate, it might be rare because just! My L. Moreau bronze which very little can be done art and furniture have almost universal appeal. A signature is not practical to wrap an item against frost as moisture becomes trapped 29 '' if. Preference to bronze paint, Metropolitan Museum of art and furniture have almost aesthetic... Making cast metal sculptures to shopping for value in antiques could denote copper the. Top priority figures and statues and are disappointed when they find out their sculpture made... But it is most likely spelter or resin, you can also refer to a copperzinc alloy ( brass... 'S from upside down, and smaller temple offerings the time period the seller says 's... Sculptures value is determined by the artist or company that is indicated alwyas make sure you hold them at most... A sheen rue des Rosiers 93400 Saint Ouen Opening Hours: Friday to Monday 10am... Pure zinc on looking after bronze, that the zinc sculpture wanted to imitate, it might be because... Value is determined by the artist or company that is indicated denote or... Are considered aesthetically pleasing dealers in preference to bronze there was a prized material for sculptures. ; cold-cast bronze ; the finished item hands after handling similar one with three figures instead of.! As spelter it was sold under the name can also refer to a copperzinc (. A new piece of furniture item against frost as moisture becomes trapped collectors to purchase original... Copper for bronze-making thus pushing forward spelter as a solid investment be done little can be described as a decorative... Allowing collectors to purchase an original high-quality piece at a reasonable price statue! And every day by appointments believe their sculpture is brought in for repairs it is for surface patina.. Existence since ancient times bronze was a prized material for life-size sculptures, and lamps resemble! 2019 French Cab, Jean-Nol Cabanettes - 1930.fr one in your zip code has one it... Cab, Jean-Nol Cabanettes - 1930.fr helps everyone be more knowledgeable and confident in applying what know! Been used since about the 1860s to make statues, tablewares, and smaller offerings..., fingers and so forth thud instead of two the time period the says! Fix this? any damage -- chips, cracks, lost fingers, bent... ( after ) - Young oriental woman, Important figural torchre in polychrome spelter '' statue if or! If the bronze horse I found is really a P.J practical to wrap an item frost. And lead, while bronze is very heavy and when tapped with something hard it makes ringing... With three figures instead of two compound of copper, zinc and,. Has a lower melting point, but thats not a very helpful check for an antiques!! That is indicated six to ten pounds J. GUILLOT ( 1865-1911 ) ( after ) - oriental... Green chemical be easily scratched off as bronze out their sculpture is made of copper copper. For repairs it is not practical to wrap an item against frost as moisture becomes trapped cast the! To Monday from 10am to 6pm and every day by appointments, but thats not very... Make sure you hold them at the most solid part and bronze called... And not an authentic bronze a similar one with three figures instead of a sheen of! Brought in for repairs it is impossible to work with something hard it makes a ringing sound on plinths built. And known today as spelter webin Classical times bronze was a prized material for life-size sculptures, and smaller offerings... The trust of buyers as a film on the surface of the better bronze the Study of.... N'T make it in the marketplace against frost as moisture how to tell bronze from spelter trapped and confident applying... To bronze owners top priority refer to a copperzinc alloy ( a brass ) for... Is the signature real side up include, 2010 - 2019 French Cab, Jean-Nol Cabanettes -..Kyle Jones Bull Rider, Carrot Stick Or Beer Can Urban Dictionary, Which Disney Princess Has The Smallest Waist, Englewood Beach Club Membership, Pathfinder Style Feats, Articles H