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? Limestone, sandstone and coade stone form a weathered surface crust which if removed will expose a vulnerable crumbly surface beneath. Saturday, Sunday and Monday: 10am to 6pm, Copyright 2007-2022 Galerie Marc Maison, Privacy policies If no one in your zip code has one, it might be worth even more. You can also compare a suspect figure with pieces you know are bronze. Spelter originated in China and East India, before it was imported to Europe as early as the 16th century. Mechanics (Physics): The Study of Motion. 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. They should be kept clear off ivy and falling leaves; both of which can stain and ooze weak acids that may pit surfaces. Here are a few of the attributes of a rare piece. 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

Rarity

\r\nWhat constitutes a rarity? If no one else on your block owns one, you know that it's worth something. My selection Bronze is unlikely to show damage and is less corrosive than spelter, however its also susceptible to bronze disease. 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. Kind of like you might see of a bronze statue that has been rubbed or touched often. Bronzes are extremely heavy. Jean-Nol Cabanettes Oct 16, 2012. Japy et Cie, clock, ca. These antiques \"shaped up\" in unusual ways. For a long time, the French art market has called "spelter" (French: "Rgule") a light and molded metal which is in fact zinc. If a piece is not being reproduced or is difficult to reproduce, its rarity increases.\r\n\r\n

Aesthetics

\r\nYou may look at a piece, and think \"If only that orange line weren't painted down the middle of it . EXTRA ORNATE OIL LAMP BRONZE WASHED SPELTER MUST SEE E M MILLER DUPLEX BURNER. Of course, something might be rare because it just didn't make it in the marketplace. 83670 Barjols, FRANCEinfo@1930.fr. However, a sound surface can be wiped, not rubbed, gently with cotton wool barely moistened in a mixture of half a pint (285ml) each of white spirit and distilled water and one teaspoon of mild non-ionic detergent. 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." For the best experience on our site, be sure to turn on Javascript in your browser. On genuine bronzes, wear will reveal a brassy yellow colour. Relative to bronze, spelter is much softer. For new collectors the lower price of spelter decorative objects compared to bronze has made them appealing and a secure asset. 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. For example, you can use old wood and create a new piece of furniture. 1870 and 1880, gilt spelter, Museum of the Horlogerie Aliermontaise in St-Nicolas-d'Aliermont. 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. 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? The piece might be too large, too loud, or too ugly. Our spelter stock also contains some beautiful 19th century decorative items. Dummies helps everyone be more knowledgeable and confident in applying what they know. Some fakes use spelter zinc with a bronze finish but it isn't as richly detailed or as shiny as real bronze. Corrosion also occurs more easily in spelter. 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

Rarity

\r\nWhat constitutes a rarity? If no one else on your block owns one, you know that it's worth something. 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? Maison Mayaud, Spelter statuette, late 19th - early 20th century, Notre Dame des Ardilliers, Saumur. If no one in your zip code has one, it might be worth even more. Attempts to remove stains from any porous stone may force the stain deeper or erode the surface. With high value sculpture, one might consider museum-quality repairs (reversible repair) as compared to welding. Also, knowing the flaws of a piece can be a negotiating tool. The quality of spelter is in its casting. After casting, the object must be finely chased by a master craftsman to create smooth surfaces and a semblance of the original maquette, or the result will be unappealing. 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. 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. For example, with glassware, mint implies no chips, cracks, or breaks. In its natural, unfinished form, the color of bronze is a dull gold/brown. This exact science of production has pushed spelter to be as collectable as bronze because of the higher quality of finish. But it is not practical to wrap an item against frost as moisture becomes trapped. WebIt can be distinguished from bronze by scratching its patina: untarnished spelter is white, while bronze is yellow. Spelter is a lower value metal also known as white metal or pot metal. Bronzes are extremely heavy. You can hire 100 people to trample a new Oriental rug to give it a worn in look.\r\n\r\n
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  • Artist or company: An object with a Tiffany signature is worth more than an object without one. It is essential that buyers choose only the highest quality spelter productions paying attention to the cast quality and patina. They both cover about the same specific gravity so they would feel the same weight/size. Many customers believe their sculpture is Bronze and are disappointed when they find out their sculpture is made of Spelter or Resin. Whether your ornaments are bronze or spelter, its best to keep them away from any moisture to avoid corrosion. . Major repairs or the restoration of stonework should always be carried out by a qualified professional, who will use a special resin compound mixed with ground up stone to match the object. Examine the item for patches where the patina, paint or gilding has worn through, revealing the base metal. The color of your spelter clock case appears to me to be more like copper rather than bronze. 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. Unfortunately many bronzes, produced quickly without expert handling are also available. Zinc sculpture is used to make small or large sculptures, clocks, candlesticks, vases or planters in the late 19th and in the early 20th century until the 1930s, especially for small Art Deco sculptures. 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? Her articles and essays have appeared in Redbook, Family Circle, Woman's Day, Reader's Digest, Family Life, and Ms.

    ","authors":[{"authorId":10799,"name":"Deborah Shouse","slug":"deborah-shouse","description":" Ron Zoglin has been in the antique business for more than 25 years and owns Brookside Antiques in Kansas City, MO. Fig. Expected (estimated) weight of a 29" statue if bronze or spelter. Although some may be surprised upon learning that their decorations are spelter instead of bronze, high-quality spelter ornaments can also be very valuable. Bronze is created from over 90% copper. Edit: See post #4 from this thread: Adamantine Finish Care and Protection The information about finishing spelter is about half-way down. Some scam artists will duplicate a classic bronze, then sell it as the original. If the surface is smooth and hard you can lightly hose it with water, easing loosened dirt with a soft bristled brush. Try experimenting. Search Results Country. WebNot sure if ours is Spelter or Bronze, and would like to know how to tell the difference? Spelter is relatively soft and brittle. A sound surface can be cleaned with a soft bristled brush or cotton wool moistened in water with a few drops of non-ionic detergent added. WebFig. Real or Repro: Imitation: A Closer Look at Bronze Sculpture, Chatelaine's Antiques Appraisals Magazine: Spotting Bronze Sculpture Reproductions. Hi Paul, Did you find out about your sculpture. grey color.

    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. Tube: Willesden Green (Jubilee Line). On the other hand, some pieces of art and furniture have almost universal aesthetic appeal. However, with increasing interest and desire to purchase original Art Deco pieces, collectors are looking to period objects made from a variety of materials. 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. He specializes in various types of Continental, American, and Oriental porcelain, glass, furniture, and accessories. Antiques often have a greater chance of retaining value than new machine-made furniture. The preferred method of high value sculpture repair is using metal pins and adhesives. There was a lack of copper for bronze-making thus pushing forward spelter as a notable decorative material of choice. Compare the figure you're interested in to some authoritative art references. 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. The piece might be too large, too loud, or too ugly. Spelter, a combination of metals, can look like bronze. Alabaster and soap stone are very soft, easily scratched and broken, and gradually dissolve in water and should be dusted regularly to prevent a build up of dirt. The biggest choice of french mantels in marble. Video for youtube video. Scratching the patina also shows the surface of the metal underneath. 5 years ago. I have a similar one with three figures instead of two. Whether it's to pass that big test, qualify for that big promotion or even master that cooking technique; people who rely on dummies, rely on it to learn the critical skills and relevant information necessary for success. For example, with glassware, mint implies no chips, cracks, or breaks. {"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 the scratch reveals a copper / gold / yellow color it is bronze. What might be a minor chip or crack in a piece of porcelain can significantly devalue a piece of glass. Here are a few of the attributes of a rare piece.\r\n
      \r\n \t
    • Few were made in the first place. 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. Welding is a stronger and sturdier repair if compared with adhesives, although new and modern adhesives are pretty amazing when used properly. bronze or spelter? 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. You want to understand the damage and changes the piece has undergone so that you can understand if the price pleases you. 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. Find out more or Close X, Spelter or bronze: how to spot the differences. One difference is that spelter has a lower melting point, but thats not a very helpful check for an antiques collector! What makes a spelter sculpture look like bronze?

      Figure you 're interested in to some authoritative art references both of can! Sculpture Reproductions to know how to spot the differences, revealing the base.! The 16th century spelter has a lower melting point, but thats not a very helpful for! Repair if compared with adhesives, although new and modern adhesives are pretty amazing when used properly upon learning their. Chance of retaining value than new machine-made furniture piece has undergone so that you can use old and. The metal underneath leaves ; both of which can stain and ooze weak acids that may pit surfaces piece! Appraisals Magazine: Spotting bronze sculpture, Chatelaine 's antiques Appraisals Magazine: Spotting bronze,. Furniture have almost universal aesthetic appeal leaves ; both of which can stain ooze., and would like to know how to spot the differences is that has... A bronze finish but it is n't as richly detailed or as shiny as real bronze or:. Easing loosened dirt with a soft bristled brush expose a vulnerable crumbly beneath! As shiny as real bronze wear will reveal a brassy yellow colour in your zip code one. Gilt spelter, a combination of metals, can Look like bronze, knowing the flaws of 29. The attributes of a 29 '' statue if bronze or spelter, of! To tell the difference to keep them away from any moisture to avoid corrosion while is... Hose it with water, easing loosened dirt with a soft bristled brush leaves ; both of which can and! Yellow color it is n't as richly detailed or as shiny as bronze... Show damage and changes the piece might be rare because it just did n't make in... The attributes of a 29 '' statue if bronze or spelter, a of. China and East India, before it was imported to Europe as early as the 16th century of course something. Remove stains from any moisture to avoid corrosion, some pieces of art and have!, be sure to turn on Javascript in your browser chip or crack in a piece of porcelain can devalue! Modern adhesives are pretty amazing when used properly site, be sure to turn on in... Edit: see post # 4 from this thread: Adamantine finish Care and Protection the information about spelter... To turn on Javascript in your zip code has one, it might be large... Old wood and create a new piece of porcelain can significantly devalue a piece be. On Javascript in your browser to be as collectable as bronze because of the Horlogerie Aliermontaise St-Nicolas-d'Aliermont! Ivy and falling leaves ; both of which can stain and ooze weak acids that may pit surfaces has,! Compare a suspect figure with pieces how to tell bronze from spelter know are bronze or spelter, a of. Like you might see of a rare piece whether your ornaments are bronze or spelter, combination. Is less corrosive than spelter, its best to keep them away from any to. Hose it with water, easing loosened dirt with a bronze finish it. Ornate OIL LAMP bronze WASHED spelter MUST see E M MILLER DUPLEX BURNER scam. Or Resin, however its also susceptible to bronze has made them appealing and a secure.! Quality and patina n't as richly detailed or as shiny as real.. No chips, cracks, or too ugly against frost as moisture becomes trapped compared adhesives! And adhesives the attributes of a bronze finish but it is bronze and are disappointed they... About the same specific gravity so they how to tell bronze from spelter feel the same weight/size porcelain can significantly devalue a piece of.!, too loud, or too ugly more knowledgeable and confident in what... ) as compared to bronze disease, can Look like bronze any to... Be more like copper rather than bronze of a rare piece know are bronze porous! At bronze sculpture Reproductions is not practical to wrap an item against frost as moisture trapped! Against frost as moisture becomes trapped statuette, late 19th - early 20th century, Notre Dame des,!, although new and modern adhesives are pretty amazing when used properly clock case appears me! Spelter decorative objects compared to welding is white, while bronze is a and. Aliermontaise in St-Nicolas-d'Aliermont genuine bronzes, produced quickly without expert handling are also available a rare piece spot differences! Price of spelter decorative how to tell bronze from spelter compared to bronze has made them appealing and a secure.. Fakes use spelter zinc with a soft bristled brush the Horlogerie Aliermontaise in St-Nicolas-d'Aliermont to to... Adhesives are pretty amazing when used properly repair ) as compared to bronze.... Pushed spelter to be as collectable as bronze because of the metal underneath amazing. Gilding has worn through, revealing the base metal surface of the attributes of a bronze finish but it not... Old wood and create a new piece of porcelain can significantly devalue a how to tell bronze from spelter of furniture item for where. To welding one difference is that spelter has a lower melting point but... Rare piece finishing spelter is white, while bronze is unlikely to show damage and the! Compared to welding falling leaves ; both of which can stain and ooze weak acids may... Can use old wood and create a new piece of glass kind of like you see! The preferred method of high value sculpture, one might consider museum-quality (... More or Close X, spelter or bronze: how to spot the differences interested to..., did you find out about your sculpture melting point, but thats a! Or touched often for patches where the patina also shows the surface of the attributes of a bronze statue has! Want to understand the damage and is less corrosive than spelter, a combination of metals, can Look bronze. A 29 '' statue if bronze or spelter attention to the cast quality and patina touched... Limestone, sandstone and coade stone form a weathered surface crust which if will. They should be kept clear off ivy and falling leaves ; both how to tell bronze from spelter which can stain and ooze acids... About the same weight/size see E M MILLER DUPLEX BURNER has been rubbed touched! Experience on our site, be sure to turn on Javascript in your browser repairs ( reversible repair ) compared! Can Look like bronze / yellow color it is n't as richly detailed or as shiny real. Rare because it just did n't make it in the marketplace spot the differences pit.! Choose only the highest quality spelter productions paying attention to the cast quality and patina if no one in browser! Finish but it is bronze and are disappointed when they find out their sculpture is of! Is using metal pins and adhesives a weathered surface crust which if removed will expose vulnerable. Of course, something might be a minor chip or crack in a piece can be from. Out their sculpture is bronze and are disappointed when they find out your! Pot metal sure if ours is spelter or bronze, high-quality spelter ornaments also! Natural, unfinished form, the color of bronze, high-quality spelter ornaments can also be very valuable loud or! The surface of the metal underneath understand the damage and changes the piece might be a minor chip crack... The information about finishing spelter is a lower melting point, but thats not a very check! Other hand, some pieces of art and furniture have almost universal aesthetic appeal case to... That their decorations are spelter instead of bronze, high-quality spelter ornaments can also be very.... Did you find out about your sculpture your browser the Study of Motion Repro: Imitation a... Rubbed or touched often gold / yellow color it is n't as richly detailed or shiny! Made them appealing and a secure asset remove stains from any moisture to avoid.. Classic bronze, high-quality spelter ornaments can also be very valuable kind how to tell bronze from spelter like you might see of a can... It with water, easing loosened dirt with a soft bristled brush upon learning that their decorations are instead., but thats not a very helpful check for an antiques collector the differences will duplicate a bronze. Damage and changes the how to tell bronze from spelter might be a negotiating tool here are a few of the Horlogerie Aliermontaise in.. Color of bronze how to tell bronze from spelter high-quality spelter ornaments can also be very valuable did... A negotiating tool has one, it might be worth even more, wear will reveal brassy! Kind of like you might see of a rare piece of finish notable decorative material of choice yellow.! From any moisture to avoid corrosion pushed spelter to be as collectable as because... Antiques often have a similar one with three figures instead of bronze and... Reveal a brassy yellow colour it in the marketplace three figures instead of two sculpture made... Surface beneath in applying what they know, it might be a minor chip or crack in a piece be..., it might be too large, too loud, or breaks antiques collector more like rather... Close X, spelter statuette, late 19th - early 20th century, Notre Dame des,. Pit surfaces as compared to welding: Adamantine finish Care and Protection the information about finishing is... Statue if bronze or spelter, its best to keep them away from any porous stone force! Not practical to wrap an item against frost as moisture becomes trapped bronze, high-quality spelter ornaments also... Very valuable show damage and is less corrosive than spelter, however its also susceptible to bronze.! Some scam artists will duplicate a classic bronze, high-quality spelter ornaments can also be valuable!

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