Spelter is a zinc-based alloy commonly utilised for figurative sculptures during the Victorian and Art Deco periods. It offered makers an economical alternative to bronze while allowing for intricate casting. Objects cast in spelter are lighter than bronze and typically feature applied cold-painted finishes or patination. Collectors handle these pieces with care due to the metal's relative softness.

How do I identify Art Deco figures?

Art Deco figures, dating predominantly from the 1930s, display stylised geometries, aerodynamic lines, and depictions of dancers and animals. They frequently utilise spelter or silvered bronze mounted on heavy marble or onyx bases. These pieces reflect the modernism of the interwar period, often capturing motion in the poses of female dancers, birds, and sports figures.

What are figural bookends?

Figural bookends are matched pairs of heavy decorative objects designed to support upright rows of books on a shelf or desk. They often feature sculptural animals, human figures, or architectural motifs. In this selection, examples include marble squirrel bookends and cast figures that combine utility with decorative display.

Where were these statues made?

The pieces originate from various European and Asian workshops, with a strong representation from French, Italian, and English foundries. Russian and Chinese works also appear, reflecting international trade and stylistic exchange. Foundries in Paris and Vienna were particularly prolific in producing cold-painted figures and decorative bronzes during the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries.