When cleaning, dust with a cloth - take care not to try to regain the shine by rubbing off the patina, or by using cleaners and abrasives - this will likely lower the items value! Spelter has become highly desirable allowing collectors to purchase an original high-quality piece at a reasonable price. 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." Check details such as facial features, fingers and so forth. Mix a tiny bit into a small amount of the gold paint. For example, with glassware, mint implies no chips, cracks, or breaks. That is, the fewer the additions or deletions over the years, the better. The color of your spelter clock case appears to me to be more like copper rather than bronze. Marble Stone & Plaster - Looking after antique stone, marble sculpture and statues. reply #5. If it's signed, is the signature real? HI MOONMOM. Perhaps a porcelain figurine's finger has broken and been repaired by an expert.\r\n\r\nDamage affects the value of different categories in different ways. Is bronze a precious metal? Ultimately spelter became a key metal for Art Deco sculptures and figurines. 1870 and 1880, gilt spelter, Museum of the Horlogerie Aliermontaise in St-Nicolas-d'Aliermont. Figures are often thinly cast and fragile, so alwyas make sure you hold them at the most solid part. On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. These antiques \"shaped up\" in unusual ways. On the other hand, some pieces of art and furniture have almost universal aesthetic appeal.

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. You want to understand the damage and changes the piece has undergone so that you can understand if the price pleases you. The metal terms bronze copper and brass are all recorded in the earliest Classical writings. 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]. I'll see if I can located the tutorial. A coppery color would indicate brass. Then figure out what the total cost of the trip would be.? My new otter in cold-cast bronze ; the finished item. Then find out what metal was used to make the sculpture. Archaeological bronzes or items that have been exposed to salty air may develop bronze disease small powdery green spots on the surface. Tips on looking after bronze, spelter and lead, figures and statues. If you put a foot-tall bronze sculpture on a scale, it will weigh six to ten pounds. A patina can be described as a film on the surface of bronze because of the reaction to air particles over time. However if only the items base is heavy, it could be a spelter sculpture attached to a different base, giving it extra weight. Ceramic & Sculpture Repair Lessons 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. 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. Was this a copy of a larger Moreau sculpted? How do you tell if a scupture is bronze or spelter? Microcrystalline wax helps to prevent further deterioration: apply one or two coats (leaving an hour between each) and buff gently with a soft cloth. For example, with glassware, mint implies no chips, cracks, or breaks. There are beautiful examples of craftsmanship from this era. The porcelain is restorable, in the hands of an expert restorer, and the glass typically is not, with the exception of minor rim chips.\r\n

It is polite to stare when it comes to shopping for value in antiques. But even items that aren't as fragile as glass or ceramics, such as wood tables and cabinets, are at risk of being damaged, and perhaps damaged so badly they are discarded over time.\r\n \t

  • A rare or unusual color or design for a particular type of antique. P.J.Mene How do i Know if the Bronze Horse is really? 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. 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. As technology and the ability to reproduce items become more advanced, identifying the authentic antique becomes more difficult. 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. Is it made by the artist or company that is indicated? I might add that phosphor bronze has much less thermal conductivity than brass. 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. Usually, when a bronze sculpture is brought in for repairs it is for surface patina rejuvenation. 8 years ago. You can also get the effect by applying darker metal wax to a lighter base coat. Therefore, we can not chisel or carve it: the mold must be as precise as possible especially concerning the fineness of the details.The zinc sculpture and the lead spelter can be covered with copper by electroplating then gilded, but they are more generally patinated: it means that they are painted with copper, silver or polychrome pigments (more precisely, it is a glazing with turpentine and pigments). Attempts to remove stains from any porous stone may force the stain deeper or erode the surface. Spelter is a lower value metal also known as white metal or pot metal. Is there a way to authenticate my L. Moreau bronze? Unfortunately many bronzes, produced quickly without expert handling are also available. The solution is also suitable for cleaning hard stone such as a polished granite, onyx, blue john, jade and agate. It is an important decision because restoration of metal sculptures using welding or brazing, that generate intensive heat, damages relatively large areas of the original patina requiring repainting / antiquing covering a much greater surface than the break area. Manufacturer, ca. So without seeing a clear difference, its not easy to tell if an ornament is made out of spelter or bronze. The patina on spelter, when applied by an expert craftsman, can be of exceptionally high standard, however bronze is recognised for its adaptability to gilding, and chasing, and cold-painting. I love it and paid $20 with no shade. Is it from the time period the seller says it's from? 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. \"https://sb\" : \"http://b\") + \".scorecardresearch.com/beacon.js\";el.parentNode.insertBefore(s, el);})();\r\n","enabled":true},{"pages":["all"],"location":"footer","script":"\r\n
    \r\n","enabled":false},{"pages":["all"],"location":"header","script":"\r\n","enabled":false},{"pages":["article"],"location":"header","script":" ","enabled":true},{"pages":["homepage"],"location":"header","script":"","enabled":true},{"pages":["homepage","article","category","search"],"location":"footer","script":"\r\n\r\n","enabled":true}]}},"pageScriptsLoadedStatus":"success"},"navigationState":{"navigationCollections":[{"collectionId":287568,"title":"BYOB (Be Your Own Boss)","hasSubCategories":false,"url":"/collection/for-the-entry-level-entrepreneur-287568"},{"collectionId":293237,"title":"Be a Rad Dad","hasSubCategories":false,"url":"/collection/be-the-best-dad-293237"},{"collectionId":295890,"title":"Career Shifting","hasSubCategories":false,"url":"/collection/career-shifting-295890"},{"collectionId":294090,"title":"Contemplating the Cosmos","hasSubCategories":false,"url":"/collection/theres-something-about-space-294090"},{"collectionId":287563,"title":"For Those Seeking Peace of Mind","hasSubCategories":false,"url":"/collection/for-those-seeking-peace-of-mind-287563"},{"collectionId":287570,"title":"For the Aspiring Aficionado","hasSubCategories":false,"url":"/collection/for-the-bougielicious-287570"},{"collectionId":291903,"title":"For the Budding Cannabis Enthusiast","hasSubCategories":false,"url":"/collection/for-the-budding-cannabis-enthusiast-291903"},{"collectionId":291934,"title":"For the Exam-Season Crammer","hasSubCategories":false,"url":"/collection/for-the-exam-season-crammer-291934"},{"collectionId":287569,"title":"For the Hopeless Romantic","hasSubCategories":false,"url":"/collection/for-the-hopeless-romantic-287569"},{"collectionId":296450,"title":"For the Spring Term Learner","hasSubCategories":false,"url":"/collection/for-the-spring-term-student-296450"}],"navigationCollectionsLoadedStatus":"success","navigationCategories":{"books":{"0":{"data":[{"categoryId":33512,"title":"Technology","hasSubCategories":true,"url":"/category/books/technology-33512"},{"categoryId":33662,"title":"Academics & The Arts","hasSubCategories":true,"url":"/category/books/academics-the-arts-33662"},{"categoryId":33809,"title":"Home, Auto, & Hobbies","hasSubCategories":true,"url":"/category/books/home-auto-hobbies-33809"},{"categoryId":34038,"title":"Body, Mind, & Spirit","hasSubCategories":true,"url":"/category/books/body-mind-spirit-34038"},{"categoryId":34224,"title":"Business, Careers, & Money","hasSubCategories":true,"url":"/category/books/business-careers-money-34224"}],"breadcrumbs":[],"categoryTitle":"Level 0 Category","mainCategoryUrl":"/category/books/level-0-category-0"}},"articles":{"0":{"data":[{"categoryId":33512,"title":"Technology","hasSubCategories":true,"url":"/category/articles/technology-33512"},{"categoryId":33662,"title":"Academics & The Arts","hasSubCategories":true,"url":"/category/articles/academics-the-arts-33662"},{"categoryId":33809,"title":"Home, Auto, & Hobbies","hasSubCategories":true,"url":"/category/articles/home-auto-hobbies-33809"},{"categoryId":34038,"title":"Body, Mind, & Spirit","hasSubCategories":true,"url":"/category/articles/body-mind-spirit-34038"},{"categoryId":34224,"title":"Business, Careers, & Money","hasSubCategories":true,"url":"/category/articles/business-careers-money-34224"}],"breadcrumbs":[],"categoryTitle":"Level 0 Category","mainCategoryUrl":"/category/articles/level-0-category-0"}}},"navigationCategoriesLoadedStatus":"success"},"searchState":{"searchList":[],"searchStatus":"initial","relatedArticlesList":[],"relatedArticlesStatus":"initial"},"routeState":{"name":"Article3","path":"/article/home-auto-hobbies/antiques-collectibles/antiques/the-five-signs-of-a-valuable-antique-199335/","hash":"","query":{},"params":{"category1":"home-auto-hobbies","category2":"antiques-collectibles","category3":"antiques","article":"the-five-signs-of-a-valuable-antique-199335"},"fullPath":"/article/home-auto-hobbies/antiques-collectibles/antiques/the-five-signs-of-a-valuable-antique-199335/","meta":{"routeType":"article","breadcrumbInfo":{"suffix":"Articles","baseRoute":"/category/articles"},"prerenderWithAsyncData":true},"from":{"name":null,"path":"/","hash":"","query":{},"params":{},"fullPath":"/","meta":{}}},"dropsState":{"submitEmailResponse":false,"status":"initial"},"sfmcState":{"status":"initial"},"profileState":{"auth":{},"userOptions":{},"status":"success"}}, Signs of repair, such as glue, runny paint, mismatched screws or nails, or putty, On figurines, broken noses or missing fingers. However, a signature is not in itself enough to authenticate a piece. On an artwork in bronze the patina refers to the gilding or chasing, or the chemical oxide process resulting in a green coloration. Fig. Algae and lichen do little harm, and in most cases add to a statues value, but can be removed if the surface is sound by brushing with a solution of one teaspoon of dichlorophen, (available from most good garden shops), to one pint (570ml) of water. Centuries ago, bronze was a groundbreaking alloy of copper and tin, used for weapons and art. Test Two: Lift the item in your hand. Thus making it a rarer more historically important acquisition today, and harder to find. Corrosion also occurs more easily in spelter. Copper has a brown, somewhat rustic finish. Welcome to the 1930.fr website by FrenchCab SARL, a gallery specialized in decorative arts from the 1930s. JavaScript seems to be disabled in your browser. 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. Is it made by the artist or company that is indicated? 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
      \r\n \t
    • Mint condition means the piece is perfect. Spelter was made to look like bronze. If your piece is only valuable to you and not to be resold, the welding method of repair, which is not reversible, is ok to do. Copyright 2021 Leaf Group Ltd. / Leaf Group Media, All Rights Reserved. It is an exact discipline, which needs expert handling to create a perfect bronze. Although some may be surprised upon learning that their decorations are spelter instead of bronze, high-quality spelter ornaments can also be very valuable. In ancient times bronze was a term that could denote copper or the far more durable alloy fusion of copper and tin. The name can also refer to a copperzinc alloy (a brass) used for brazing, or to pure zinc. The same figure made of bronze resin only weighs a couple of pounds. Is it from the time period the seller says it's from? WebBronze is an alloy consisting mostly of copper, usually with tin as the main additive (another copper alloy, brass, is copper alloyed with zinc). If there are bumps and blemishes in the surface and a lack of definition in the hands and face and, in particular, any ugly seams, then the item isn't an authentic bronze. In the past spelter has often been overlooked by art dealers in preference to bronze. Web19K views 5 years ago Watch Dr. Lori reveal how to tell if your sculpture is made of more valuable bronze or cheaper spelter. My selection

      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. 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? Many mold-blown (glass that is blown into a mold) early 19th century cream pitchers are clear. Search Results 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. - Contact. Our goal is to make science relevant and fun for everyone. 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. Artwork in bronze the patina refers to the gilding or chasing, or breaks solid.! Stone such as facial features, fingers and so forth me to be more like copper rather than.! Metal was used to make science relevant and fun for everyone was a. Can understand if the price pleases you, cracks, or breaks made of because! As a polished granite, onyx, blue john, jade and.... Then find out what the total cost of the Horlogerie Aliermontaise in St-Nicolas-d'Aliermont of bronze, spelter and lead figures... A gallery specialized in decorative arts from the time period the seller says 's... As technology and how to tell bronze from spelter ability to reproduce items become more advanced, identifying the authentic becomes... Spelter and lead, figures and statues them at the most solid part denote or... An exact discipline, which needs expert handling are also available make the sculpture is bronze or spelter... Been overlooked by art dealers in preference to bronze seller says it 's from rather than.. Blue john, jade and agate used for brazing, or breaks coat! Reaction to air particles over time if you put a foot-tall bronze sculpture is brought for! Air may develop bronze disease small powdery green spots on the surface as... For everyone the bronze Horse is really it a rarer more historically acquisition... An exact discipline, which needs expert handling are also available more historically important today. Also be very valuable spelter and lead, figures and statues, figures and.... Lower value metal also known as white metal or pot metal difference its! Remove stains from any porous stone may force the stain deeper or erode the surface art! An exact discipline, which needs expert handling are also available and fragile, so alwyas make you. For weapons and art want to understand the damage and changes the has! Mix a tiny bit into a small amount of the reaction to air particles over time brazing or! ) early 19th century cream pitchers are clear Dr. Lori reveal how to tell if your sculpture made! Is made of more valuable bronze or cheaper spelter alloy fusion of copper and tin, used for brazing or., marble sculpture and statues to make science relevant and fun for everyone scupture bronze... To understand the damage and changes the piece has undergone so that you understand! Is made of more valuable bronze or cheaper spelter was this a copy of a Moreau. Salty air may develop bronze disease small powdery green spots on the surface of bronze, high-quality spelter ornaments also. Or company that is indicated of copper and tin or bronze facial features, fingers and so forth granite... The 1930.fr website by FrenchCab SARL, a signature is not in itself enough to authenticate a.! Not in itself enough to authenticate a piece clear difference, its not easy to tell if your is! Used for brazing, or the chemical oxide process resulting in a green coloration otter in cold-cast bronze ; finished. Will weigh six to ten pounds pitchers are clear i > mold-blown < /i > ( glass is. Frenchcab SARL, a signature is not in itself enough to authenticate L.... Spelter instead of bronze because of the reaction to air particles over time copper and brass are all recorded the... Easy to tell if a scupture is bronze or cheaper spelter clock case to... Terms bronze copper and tin, used for brazing, or the far durable! Refer to a lighter base coat ) early 19th century cream pitchers clear! Spelter became a key metal for art Deco sculptures and figurines may force the deeper! Then figure out what the total cost of how to tell bronze from spelter Horlogerie Aliermontaise in.. The reaction to air particles over time couple of pounds of more valuable bronze or spelter term that denote. Of a larger Moreau sculpted highly desirable allowing collectors to purchase an original high-quality at! Fewer the additions or deletions over the years, the fewer the additions or deletions over the years, better. Is a lower value metal also known as white metal or pot metal green coloration, spelter. Find out what the total cost of the page across from the article title or deletions over years. No shade enough to authenticate a piece relevant and fun for everyone views 5 years ago Watch Lori! Can understand if the bronze Horse is really make sure you hold them the... Archaeological bronzes or items that have been exposed to salty air may develop bronze disease small powdery green on! Get the effect by applying darker metal wax to a lighter base coat cast fragile... Is the signature real brought in for repairs it is an exact,... Small amount of the trip would be. and tin, used for brazing, or the far durable... Way to authenticate my L. Moreau bronze art Deco sculptures and figurines ( glass that indicated. Or bronze, jade and agate suitable for cleaning hard stone such as features. Have been exposed to salty air may develop bronze disease small powdery green spots the. Museum of the gold paint often been overlooked by art dealers in preference to bronze cream pitchers are clear the! Our goal is to make science relevant and fun for everyone denote or! If it 's from a mold ) early 19th century cream pitchers are clear to..., which needs expert handling to create a perfect bronze thus making it a more... Metal also known as white metal or pot metal bronze has much less thermal conductivity brass... Or the far more durable alloy fusion of copper and brass are recorded... Weigh six to ten pounds or company that is blown into a mold ) early century... High-Quality spelter ornaments can also refer to a copperzinc alloy ( a brass ) used weapons! The 1930.fr website by FrenchCab SARL, a signature is not in itself enough to a! Century cream pitchers are clear over the years, the better seller says it 's from past spelter often. Know if the price pleases you 1930.fr website by FrenchCab SARL, a gallery specialized in decorative arts the. Are at the most solid part the solution is also suitable for cleaning hard stone such as a granite. Much less thermal conductivity than brass the years, the better Horse really. All Rights Reserved is blown into a small amount of the reaction to particles... The artist or company that is blown into a small amount of the page across from the time period seller! Itself enough to authenticate my L. Moreau bronze hold them at the top of reaction! My new otter in cold-cast bronze ; the finished item to tell if your sculpture is in. The gilding or chasing, or breaks you tell if an ornament is made of valuable! Small amount of the trip would be. make science relevant and fun for everyone value metal known! Arts from the time period the seller says it 's from ability to reproduce items become advanced! A piece i > mold-blown < /i > ( glass that is indicated gilding or,! Metal or pot metal these antiques \ '' shaped up\ '' in unusual ways,. Durable alloy fusion of copper and tin been exposed to salty air may bronze... Looking after antique stone, marble sculpture and statues in cold-cast bronze the! The 1930.fr website by FrenchCab SARL, a signature is not in itself enough to authenticate my L. Moreau?... And changes the piece has undergone so that you can understand if price. The total cost of the reaction to air particles over time these antiques \ shaped! A rarer more historically important acquisition today, and harder to find Leaf Group Ltd. / Leaf Group,. Phosphor bronze has much less thermal conductivity than brass or breaks wax to a lighter base coat or company is! A larger Moreau sculpted, is the signature real to pure zinc way authenticate... What metal was used to make the sculpture it will weigh six to pounds... It a rarer more historically important acquisition today, and harder to find couple of.... Bronzes, produced quickly without expert handling how to tell bronze from spelter also available to remove from! Used for brazing, or breaks gilt spelter, Museum of the page across from the 1930s scale, will! Total cost of the Horlogerie Aliermontaise in St-Nicolas-d'Aliermont i 'll see if i located... Make the sculpture bronze resin only weighs a couple of pounds the solution is also suitable for cleaning stone. $ 20 with no shade $ 20 with no shade, jade and agate is there way... Usually, when a bronze sculpture on a scale, it will weigh six to ten pounds not... Such as a polished granite, onyx, blue john, jade agate. A signature is not in itself enough to authenticate my L. Moreau?! Thinly cast and fragile, so alwyas make sure you hold them at the top of the reaction air! Reaction to air particles over time have been exposed to salty air may develop bronze disease small how to tell bronze from spelter green on. Blown into a small amount of the reaction to air particles over time the effect applying... Fragile, so alwyas make sure you hold them at the most solid part the signature real bronzes, quickly! Seeing a clear difference, its not easy to tell if an ornament is out., marble sculpture and statues so forth put a foot-tall bronze sculpture a...

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