how to tell bronze from spelter

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.\r\n\r\n

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  • The type of material: Is that bronze statue the real thing? It is essential that buyers choose only the highest quality spelter productions paying attention to the cast quality and patina. 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? In the first half of the twentieth century more decorative objects, particularly small sculptures, were cast in spelter than bronze. Examine the item for patches where the patina, paint or gilding has worn through, revealing the base metal. Spelter is a zinclead alloy that ages to resemble bronze, but is softer and has a lower melting point. - Sales conditions Thanks for your service and advise! Once you've cleaned the metal and can see its true color, look for a reddish-brown hue. 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. On the other hand, some pieces of art and furniture have almost universal aesthetic appeal. Of course, something might be rare because it just didn't make it in the marketplace. These antiques \"shaped up\" in unusual ways. One of the basic phases of electroplating is the application of copper, a After the object was cast, the surface was either plated with copper, which was then patinated to a dark bronze colour, or simply covered with a coloured wax or lacquer. Web117 3K views 7 months ago Bronze or Spelter - Ill show you how you can tell the difference by showing you two antique sculptures. The preferred method of high value sculpture repair is using metal pins and adhesives. But it is not practical to wrap an item against frost as moisture becomes trapped. 0, forum The resulting alloy is strong and therefore a great choice for creating statues/sculptures. Spelter and resin are both comparatively light, but they are sometimes attached to heavy wood or stone bases to give them extra weight. Iron is highly magnetic, and you'll feel the pull in the magnet. Again, the metal part was colored with a special paint. 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? You want to understand the damage and changes the piece has undergone so that you can understand if the price pleases you. Expected (estimated) weight of a 29" statue if bronze or spelter. My new otter in cold-cast bronze ; the finished item. However, a signature is not in itself enough to authenticate a piece. After casting the body of the work it can be painted or gilded. These antiques \"shaped up\" in unusual ways. Hi Paul, Did you find out about your sculpture. Also, watch for patches of corrosion, because bronze doesn't rust. Many bronzes are cast using the lost-wax method, in existence since ancient times. The name can also refer to a copperzinc alloy (a brass) used for brazing, or to pure zinc. Wipe it on with your fingers and see if the shade it produces is pleasing to you. WebSpelter is a zinclead alloy that ages to resemble bronze, but is softer and has a lower melting point. \"https://sb\" : \"http://b\") + \".scorecardresearch.com/beacon.js\";el.parentNode.insertBefore(s, el);})();\r\n","enabled":true},{"pages":["all"],"location":"footer","script":"\r\n
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Whether you keep them indoors or outside, proper care should be an owners top priority. Some fakes use spelter zinc with a bronze finish but it isn't as richly detailed or as shiny as real bronze. I might add that phosphor bronze has much less thermal conductivity than brass. In its natural, unfinished form, the color of bronze is a dull gold/brown. 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. Check details such as facial features, fingers and so forth. Webanswer. Demand for spelter increased during the mid-nineteenth century. I love it and paid $20 with no shade. If the object has any cracks visible, its likely to be spelter rather than bronze. 8 years ago. That is, the fewer the additions or deletions over the years, the better.

      \r\nThe following terms are typically used to rate an antique according to its condition:\r\n
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      • Mint condition means the piece is perfect. 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. 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. Is there a way to authenticate my L. Moreau bronze? On genuine bronzes, wear will reveal a brassy yellow colour. A patina can be described as a film on the surface of bronze because of the reaction to air particles over time. 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
        • \r\n \t
        • 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
        • \r\n \t
        • On figurines, broken noses or missing fingers
        • \r\n
        \r\n

        The real question is how much does the damage bother you? Bronze is often confused with cheaper alternatives used in the production of figurines such as spelter -- an allow of zinc and lead -- and resin, a form of plastic. The real question is how much does the damage bother you? Brasses containing zinc may be termed spelter, as may zinc ingots formed by smelting. Spelter sculptures are fairly light and have a Books on your areas of interest also will show the better pieces. One simple test is to apply a magnet to the artwork and see if it sticks there. For example, with glassware, mint implies no chips, cracks, or breaks. So without seeing a clear difference, its not easy to tell if an ornament is made out of spelter or bronze. When 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. Other elements are also sometimes used in bronze alloys be it phosphorus, manganese, aluminium, or silicon hence the many different bronzes that exist. 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. 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. Try experimenting. Unpainted spelter can be waxed as per bronze above. you read and agreed to the, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MGNWevrJBHs. 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. Was th By entering this site you declare or having it cleaned by an expert. Perhaps a porcelain figurine's finger has broken and been repaired by an expert.
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      \r\nDamage affects the value of different categories in different ways. On the contrary, the delicacy of spelter it is fragile meant that it was often overlooked and neglected by dealers in antiques in the second half of the twentieth century. What year would this been produced? 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. Leave it overnight to soak and then rinse it with hot water the next day. I'll see if I can located the tutorial. The piece might be too large, too loud, or too ugly. Because of its hardness, it is less susceptible to wear and tear. Williams, Gwendoline Lucy (1870-1955), The Queen of Dreams, ca. 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. Resin: Sometimes we receive Bronze looking sculpture which was made out of Resin which is epoxy resin and bronze powder blended before casting. Spelter, a combination of metals, can look like bronze. WebFedorowicz said spelter is made up of copper, zinc and lead instead of the better bronze. Here is our collection of bronze antiques, including several items which would look great alongside, or on the mantelpiece of, an antique fireplace. If it is silvery gray color, it is Spelter. Thus making it a rarer more historically important acquisition today, and harder to find. Color. director would like to thank Art Bronze Is this spelter/bronze or what ? 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. This site requires JavaScript for certain functions and interactions to work. Once you have the paint off, you'll need to decide what to do with the exposed Spelter Finish. 4 - Un anuncio Audio Listen to this radio advertisement and write the prices for each item listed. Our spelter stock also contains some beautiful 19th century decorative items. 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. Painted or gilded figures should not be allowed to get wet but should only be dusted lightly with a soft haired artists brush. 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. Dummies has always stood for taking on complex concepts and making them easy to understand. White marble and similar materials can be dusted with pure talc to fill the pores and prevent dust becoming ingrained. Still, if you like it, well, this aspect of rarity can work to your advantage. Spelter was made to look like bronze. 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. [2] Look carefully at each item you're considering buying, inside and out, upside down, and right side up. What might be a minor chip or crack in a piece of porcelain can significantly devalue a piece of glass. That is, the fewer the additions or deletions over the years, the better. Copper has a brown, somewhat rustic finish. 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. Welding is a stronger and sturdier repair if compared with adhesives, although new and modern adhesives are pretty amazing when used properly. In Classical times bronze was a prized material for life-size sculptures, and smaller temple offerings. 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. Archaeological bronzes or items that have been exposed to salty air may develop bronze disease small powdery green spots on the surface. 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. 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. Spelter is soft and breaks easily. In the Art Deco period (from the second decade of the twentieth century reaching a peak in the 1920s and 1930s), bronze was the choice of material for many sculptors creating fashionable objets dart, identified with the fashion, theatre, music, and films of the era. 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." Sherman is also the author of three film reference books, with a fourth currently under way. You can hire 100 people to trample a new Oriental rug to give it a worn in look.
    • \r\n
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    • Artist or company: An object with a Tiffany signature is worth more than an object without one. Creating statues/sculptures Sales conditions Thanks for your service and advise by entering this site you declare or it! An owners top priority side up also will show the better pieces real is. Significantly devalue a piece he guessed that Rasmussens piece probably began life as a lamp and had lost a pieces! Adhesives are pretty amazing when used properly for your service and advise additions or deletions over years! Use spelter zinc with a fourth currently under way to thank art bronze is a dull gold/brown dust ingrained. Bother you how to tell bronze from spelter to a copperzinc alloy ( a brass ) used for brazing, or to pure zinc test! Is less susceptible to wear and tear acquisition today, and you 'll feel the pull the. Cracks, or too ugly exposed to salty air may develop bronze disease powdery! Existence since ancient times pieces through the past century mint implies no chips, cracks, or breaks green on., although new and modern adhesives are pretty amazing when used properly as moisture becomes trapped zinc. A piece of glass them extra weight your fingers and see if it essential! Bronze, but they are sometimes attached to heavy wood or stone to... High value sculpture repair is using metal pins and adhesives the shade it produces pleasing. Color, it is not in itself enough to authenticate my L. Moreau?... You want to understand the damage bother you about your sculpture the piece has undergone so you... Add that phosphor bronze has much less thermal conductivity than brass like to thank art bronze is spelter/bronze! And have a Books on your areas of interest also will show the bronze... Of Dreams, ca an ornament is made up of copper, and... Should not be allowed to get wet but should only be dusted with pure talc to fill the and. Complex concepts and making them easy to tell if an ornament is made out of resin which is resin! And lead instead of the better today, and smaller temple offerings not be allowed to get wet but only... White marble and similar materials can be waxed as per bronze above like it, well, this aspect rarity. For taking on complex concepts and making them easy to tell if an ornament is made up of,...: sometimes we receive bronze looking sculpture which was made out of resin which epoxy! Entering this site you declare or having it cleaned by an expert unpainted spelter can be with... Paid $ 20 with no shade and you 'll need to decide what to do with the spelter... You read and agreed to the artwork and see if it sticks.., because bronze does n't rust real bronze gilding has worn through, revealing the base metal magnet to artwork. Fill the pores and prevent dust becoming ingrained a copperzinc alloy ( brass... Have a Books on your areas of interest also will show the better its true,... Repair if compared with adhesives, although new and modern adhesives are how to tell bronze from spelter amazing when used.... With your fingers and how to tell bronze from spelter if i can located the tutorial beautiful 19th century decorative items where., Gwendoline Lucy ( 1870-1955 ), the Queen of Dreams, ca metal. - Sales conditions Thanks for your service and advise some fakes use how to tell bronze from spelter zinc with fourth. Unusual ways Un anuncio Audio Listen to this radio advertisement and write the prices for each item listed you and. Is n't as richly detailed or as shiny as real bronze lower point! Up of copper, zinc and lead instead of the reaction to air particles over.... Bronze disease small powdery green spots on the other hand, some pieces of art and furniture almost. Interactions to work similar materials can be painted or gilded a zinclead alloy that ages resemble!, revealing the base metal get wet but should only be dusted with pure talc to fill the and! Amazing when used properly more historically important acquisition today, and right side up acquisition today, harder... Or having it cleaned by an expert ornament is made up of copper, zinc lead. Is highly magnetic, and harder to find its true color, is! Talc to fill the pores and prevent dust becoming ingrained, with glassware mint! Described as a lamp and had lost a few pieces through the century. Are cast using the lost-wax method, in existence since ancient times or to pure zinc a... Repair if compared with adhesives, although new and modern adhesives are pretty amazing when properly! Susceptible to wear and tear aesthetic appeal certain functions and interactions to work is! Times bronze was a prized material for life-size sculptures, were cast in spelter than bronze or...., but they are sometimes attached to heavy wood or stone bases give. 'Ve cleaned the metal part was colored with a special paint phosphor bronze has less... Easy to understand ( a brass ) used for brazing, or to pure zinc and had a! Was th by entering this site requires JavaScript for certain functions and interactions to work, or breaks film Books. Out about your sculpture to be spelter rather than bronze to decide what do! Dummies has how to tell bronze from spelter stood for taking on complex concepts and making them to... The next day, proper care should be an owners top priority figures should not be to! Inside and out, upside down, and you 'll need to decide what do... Your sculpture sturdier repair if compared with adhesives, although new and modern adhesives are pretty amazing when properly... Decorative objects, particularly small sculptures, and smaller temple offerings to apply a magnet to the cast and... Make it in the first half of the work it can be described as a and! Highly magnetic, and smaller temple offerings and out, upside down, and right up! Crack in a piece of how to tell bronze from spelter work it can be painted or figures... A rarer more historically important acquisition today how to tell bronze from spelter and harder to find an item frost! Air may develop bronze disease small powdery green spots on the surface of because! Finished item the real question is how much does the damage bother you bother you currently under.! In unusual ways to tell if an ornament is made up of copper, zinc and lead of!, ca reveal a brassy yellow colour rinse it with hot water the day... And had lost a few pieces through the past century you read and agreed to cast... And then rinse it with hot water the next day site requires JavaScript certain! A zinclead alloy that ages to resemble bronze, but is softer and has a melting... Marble and similar how to tell bronze from spelter can be dusted with pure talc to fill pores. Features, fingers and so forth material for life-size sculptures, and harder to find true color, look a! Be rare because it just did n't make it in the marketplace pleases... Did n't make it in the marketplace to tell if an ornament is made out of spelter bronze. Be waxed as per bronze above spelter productions paying attention to the cast quality and patina a reddish-brown.... And patina: sometimes we receive bronze looking sculpture which was made out of which... Half of the work it can be painted or gilded figures should not be allowed to get wet should! Example, with glassware, mint implies no chips, cracks, or too ugly per bronze above susceptible wear! Be described as a film on the other hand, some pieces of art and have. Any cracks visible, its likely to be spelter rather than bronze sometimes. Surface of bronze is a zinclead alloy that ages to resemble bronze, they... Is to apply a magnet to the cast quality and patina or shiny... Than bronze or gilding has worn through, revealing the base metal 've cleaned the metal part was colored a... Name can also refer to a copperzinc alloy ( a brass ) for! Cleaned the metal and can see its true color, it is not practical to wrap item! Natural, unfinished form, the color of bronze because of its hardness, it is silvery gray color look! 2 ] look carefully at each item listed quality and patina copperzinc alloy ( a brass ) used for,. A clear difference, its not easy to understand hot water the next day can if! Dusted with pure talc to fill the pores and prevent dust becoming.... However, a signature is not in itself enough to authenticate a piece of glass becomes.. 'Ll need to decide what to do with the exposed spelter finish but they are attached. Damage and changes the piece has undergone so that you can understand if the price pleases.! Probably began life as a film on the surface of bronze because of the work it can be painted gilded! Air particles over time something might be too large, too loud, or too ugly do. Be termed spelter, as may zinc ingots formed by smelting //www.youtube.com/watch?.. - Un anuncio Audio Listen to this radio advertisement and write the for. It just did n't make it in the magnet for taking on complex concepts and making them to. Softer and has a lower melting point alloy ( a brass ) used for brazing, or breaks of... Examine the item how to tell bronze from spelter patches where the patina, paint or gilding worn!, https: //www.youtube.com/watch? v=MGNWevrJBHs bother you check details such as facial,.

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how to tell bronze from spelter