"Time is Money" Clock by Arthur Waagen

[railman44]

I guess the reason I was wondering what pits bronze is I have a railroad bronze bell that was placed on a Burlington steam locomotive at the turn of the century.  It's been stored in very humid and cold conditions for many decades yet it looks great.

[whitenoise]

Some interesting pieces to be sure.

[D&b antiques]

I think we have to consider, the composition of the metal. brass versus bronze steel etc. your bell has a very nice patina. quality control may not be in place. for example 1850's french bronze versus american brass bronze etc.

[KC]

I have to admit...this has just wrenched my insides....but, it is still a beautiful piece.

I would be willing to bet that this would have sold easily for upwards of $4,500+ with all the character...and especially since it is a clock....makes it very unique for his pieces! (That is if it was in excellent condition and the clock was as well!)

[burf1288]

Besides getting the clock to work, are there any methods to get the piece into better condition?

[KC]

To answer questions:

Railman44 - If you would look at the website noted earlier...different compositions are used for different things.  Yours would be industrial usage made to withstand weather versus a "bronze" statuary usage that was clearly intended for indoors - when they made the clock they didn't anticipate it would be out in weather.  Just as pieces of statuary for outside use will be a different composition.  Great site for you to look at http://www.brosamersbells.com/buytips.html

burf1288 - All pieces can be repaired...but being repaired and retaining the current value or increasing the value is the big question at hand.  I am sorry but I don't know of anything that you can do for the pits.  You can't recast - it is an original and that would make it a copy/forged piece.  To my knowledge, those pits can't be filled..they would alter the looks hideously. Being as I am not a foundry specialist, I would recommend that you find a foundry who specializes in cast bronze.  If you don't know of one...call a local museum and ask them who they use for repair work. There are many places out there who are capable, but you want to make sure that which ever foundry you choose will  be capable of doing fine chasing (metal re-texturing) and patination (chemical coloring) on bronze.  Your piece is very old...this is what helps make it's value - it most likely was wax-cast which is a lost art.  If this was a new piece with pitting...it wouldn't be worth the $500 - $1000.   At least find out the cost and see if it is worth the repair work and/or find out how to prevent it from progressing.