Buyer’s Guide- Art Deco Spelter figures explained

Many of the finest sculptures of the Art Deco period are made from bronze or Cryselephantine (The combination of bronze, ivory, other precious metal and stones).  However, in order to satisfy the demand for beautiful statues for every budget, spelter was used to reproduce Art Deco statues with crisp details and give the appearance of the much more expensive bronze statues. Spelter was widely used during the latter part of the 19^th century for the mass production of commemorative statues, lighting and cheaper reproductions of classical statues.  But the spelter statues of the 1920’s and 1930’s are superior to the majority of those produced in the19^th century – although some very fine Art Nouveau examples were produced in the run up to the 1920’s.

What is spelter?

Spelter is a much softer metal than bronze; it comprises lead and tin and is often referred to as white metal.  Many spelter figures were cast in moulds, sometimes in sections, which were then assembled and finally hand finished and patinated, this metal casting enabled spelter to be formed into stylish lamps and other fancies.  The patination is the applied colour or finish to the piece, which can give it the appearance of bronze, silver, gilding or simply an effect of wear.  Patination was done mainly with cold enamels and paints.  In some cases, the figures were polished or electroplated with silver to give the impression of silvered or gilt bronze.  Once patinated, it was hard to tell the difference from a spelter statue from its more expensive bronze counterpart. Spelter was also used in conjunction with other materials like Ivorene – a simulated ivory.

Spelter has always been considered a cheaper substitute for bronze and this perception has held prices back, but now things are changing.   Many leading sculptors and designers of the Art Deco period also worked in spelter including: the Max Le Verrier foundry and its associated artists, Demetre Chiparus and Joseph Lorenzl - many Lorenzl spelter figures are often unsigned.  To own a genuine Art Deco bronze by any of these leading artists will cost several times more that the equivalent spelter version and this is where spelter is proving a good investment for those who are not fazed by the snobbery of bronze statues and enjoy spelter figures for what they are, good stylish pieces of the period at affordable prices, for now at least…..

Identifying spelter

The best way to tell spelter apart from bronze is to check the patination and look for wear, which should reveal a silvery metal beneath the patination.  On a Bronze statue, this wear would reveal a gold or brassy coloured metal.  Touching the figure can also give clues as to the metal.  Spelter will soon warm to your touch, whereas bronze will remain cold and cool quickly after holding - although under warm showroom lights both metals will warm and this method may prove difficult to get an accurate result.  There are other ways to test the metal, but remember that it is often better to ask the seller outright.  Buying a good example from a trusted, reputable source is the best way to ensure you are getting what you want.

Checklist

Spelter is a soft metal, which is prone to breaking, fractures and wear. Check extremities and vulnerable areas for damage.  In some cases the odd broken finger or age related wear is acceptable as these figures are over 80 years old.  Minor age-related signs are to be expected, but more serious damage like breaks, missing hands etc will seriously affect value, as will serious damage to the marble or stone base - this is near impossible to repair.

Wear to the patination of a figure can vary depending on how the figure has been looked after over the years.  Good professional re-patination is costly and hard to come by - bear this in mind when buying a particularly worn example.

Beware or modern poly resin fakes, these have a very realistic dull grey spelter surface and can also be plated and patinated.  Even lesser known sculptors and foundries like Molins and Limousin are being copied in this very convincing material.   

France was the main producer of fine decorative spelter statues as was Austria, and to a lesser extent Germany, Britain and the USA.