Spelter is a zinc-based alloy that foundries cast into decorative figures, lamps, and clock sets during the nineteenth and twentieth centuries. It served as a popular, affordable substitute for bronze while still accepting detailed moulds and patinated finishes.

How do I clean an antique spelter sculpture?

Dust the surface gently with a soft, dry brush and avoid liquid cleaners or polishes. Moisture and harsh chemicals can damage the delicate patination or cold-painted details applied to the metal.

How can I tell spelter from bronze?

Spelter is generally lighter in weight than bronze and often shows a greyish or silvery metal underneath worn areas of patination. It is also softer to the touch and more brittle if struck or dropped.

Where were most of these sculptures made?

The vast majority of these decorative figures and clock sets originated in France during the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. French foundries dominated the production of patinated alloy sculptures for international export.