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Author Topic: Metal statues  (Read 5301 times)

sreyomac

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Metal statues
« on: September 16, 2012, 08:18:54 pm »
I'm trying to learn more about this statue, i have two the same. There is no makers mark, so I'm stumped. I'm new to the game so I am not aware of way to date or value them. Almost all the other stuff that came in the lot of things are being dated from the 1920s. Any insight to this piece would be appreciated.



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bigwull

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Re: Metal statues
« Reply #1 on: September 17, 2012, 01:19:04 am »
Knowing your approx location would help..and also, the weight, height of the statues.....and a pic of the underside of the base...and at the back are there any small holes...i.e.approx dia 1/8th...as for value, everything has value...

having had a second look, they look like they are made of Spelter...which is often called a poor mans bronze...spelter is an alloy of zinc and lead...where as bronze is an alloy of copper and brass...there are ways to determine what is what....



Lift the item in your hand. Bronzes are extremely heavy. 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. Turn the item upside down and determine if it feels top heavy -- if it does, it's not an authentic bronze.
2

Examine the item for patches where the patina, paint or gilding has worn through, revealing the base metal. On genuine bronzes, wear will reveal a brassy yellow color. Grey indicates spelter and red or brown points to resin

on the underside of the base...check the colour of the metal....
« Last Edit: September 17, 2012, 01:30:48 am by bigwull »
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bigwull

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Re: Metal statues
« Reply #2 on: September 17, 2012, 01:42:15 am »
judging by the rubbing on the front of the statue in the 2nd pic...i,m sure that its spelter...and spelter does have value....and sometimes a spelter figure can have more value than,a  bronze..figure....i t all depends on the year...and the maker.....now if this was a D. Chiparus statue...then you could give up your day job for a good long while....
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bigwull

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Re: Metal statues
« Reply #3 on: September 17, 2012, 05:00:48 am »
The statues have the look of a Conquistador....but in the 1st picture.the pose is "ah! mmm!....i,m trying to be delicate here"....Butch... ;D....but then when i think about it...this was the manner in which a 15th century...Spanish conquistador would taken when addressing someone..... ;D
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sapphire

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Re: Metal statues
« Reply #4 on: September 17, 2012, 07:15:24 am »
sreyomac, it's hard to tell from the photos, but it is possible his upraised hand may have held something? say a sword?  is there space between his thumb and curved fingers for an object to fit?
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sapphire

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Re: Metal statues
« Reply #5 on: September 17, 2012, 07:23:35 am »
Here's two that sold at auction in May 2010 for $125.  They were approx 12" in height. No estimate of age.

http://www.icollector.com/Lot-of-two-old-small-bronze-like-statue-of-a-Conquistador-approx-12-high-with-a-nice-dark-patina_i9481505

They both must have originally held 'something'...........or buddy on the right is demonstrating an early example of the sign for 'call me' ! ;)
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bigwull

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Re: Metal statues
« Reply #6 on: September 17, 2012, 08:57:01 am »
I was trying to be delicate....when describing his orientation....and settled for Butch....which is as i now remember attributed to the fairer sex.... ;D
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sreyomac

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Re: Metal statues
« Reply #7 on: September 21, 2012, 06:36:15 am »
OHH This is exciting!!!! I am from Northeast TX. My aunt  married into old Oil Money and received a huge lot antiques. Upon her passing we received these statues and much more. They do have small holes in that back, it heavy for its size, i would say its about a foot tall, minus the base. The bottom of the base is covered with green felt, and when lifted shows a hollow base covered by a metal piece with holes in it. ( its hard to describe) Ill add more pics as soon as i can. I do not think he was holding something at one time his hand is just raised. Again i will post mire pic asap.  And i hove other stuff i want y'all to look at!   ;D
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bigwull

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Re: Metal statues
« Reply #8 on: September 21, 2012, 06:42:44 am »
This statue has been cast using the lost wax method...see link


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lost-wax_casting
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mart

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Re: Metal statues
« Reply #9 on: September 21, 2012, 07:21:24 am »
Quote from: sreyomac on September 21, 2012, 06:36:15 am
OHH This is exciting!!!! I am from Northeast TX. My aunt  married into old Oil Money and received a huge lot antiques. Upon her passing we received these statues and much more. They do have small holes in that back, it heavy for its size, i would say its about a foot tall, minus the base. The bottom of the base is covered with green felt, and when lifted shows a hollow base covered by a metal piece with holes in it. ( its hard to describe) Ill add more pics as soon as i can. I do not think he was holding something at one time his hand is just raised. Again i will post mire pic asap.  And i hove other stuff i want y'all to look at!   ;D

Where in NE Texas ?? That is my location !!
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bigwull

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Re: Metal statues
« Reply #10 on: September 21, 2012, 10:24:33 am »
Quote from: mart on September 21, 2012, 07:21:24 am
Quote from: sreyomac on September 21, 2012, 06:36:15 am
OHH This is exciting!!!! I am from Northeast TX. My aunt  married into old Oil Money and received a huge lot antiques. Upon her passing we received these statues and much more. They do have small holes in that back, it heavy for its size, i would say its about a foot tall, minus the base. The bottom of the base is covered with green felt, and when lifted shows a hollow base covered by a metal piece with holes in it. ( its hard to describe) Ill add more pics as soon as i can. I do not think he was holding something at one time his hand is just raised. Again i will post mire pic asap.  And i hove other stuff i want y'all to look at!   ;D

Where in NE Texas ?? That is my location !!
better have the kettle at hand...you might get a hands on...inspection.... ;)
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mart

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Re: Metal statues
« Reply #11 on: September 21, 2012, 10:30:08 am »
Notice the last sentence !!  Y`all is Texas english !!
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KC

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Re: Metal statues
« Reply #12 on: September 21, 2012, 03:01:19 pm »
mart made me laugh out loud.  I guess us Texans/Southern folk need to interpret our words like wully has to for the Scottish. 

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sreyomac

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Re: Metal statues
« Reply #13 on: September 21, 2012, 05:13:19 pm »
OK, here are some additional pics. They are not exactly the same, like I thought, they have slight differences. Differnet outfits and poses.













I live outside of Tyler....
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mart

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Re: Metal statues
« Reply #14 on: September 21, 2012, 05:20:31 pm »
 Which side NSEW ?? We are in Mt Pleasant !! Not far from you !!
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