How do I clean a spelter statue?

Dust the surface gently with a soft, dry brush to prevent accumulation in the crevices. Avoid using water or chemical solvents, which can lift the delicate cold paint finishes. Take care around stone bases like marble or onyx, wiping them with a barely damp cloth only if necessary. Regular gentle maintenance preserves the original patination without wearing down the metal.

Are these statues made of bronze?

These pieces are cast from spelter, a zinc alloy, rather than bronze. Spelter is lighter and softer, allowing for sharp detail during the casting process. Makers often applied bronze-look patinas or multi-coloured cold paint to simulate more expensive metals. This made decorative figurative art accessible to a broader Victorian and twentieth-century market.

Why are they mounted on stone?

Spelter is a relatively soft and brittle metal that requires a heavy foundation to remain stable. Bases made from marble, alabaster, or onyx anchor tall figures and lamps securely. These stone plinths also provide an aesthetic contrast to the metallic figure above. The choice of stone often reflects the design vocabulary of the Art Deco or Art Nouveau period.

How can I tell Art Deco from Art Nouveau?

Art Nouveau pieces feature flowing, asymmetrical lines inspired by natural forms such as plants, flowers, and whiplash curves. The female figures tend to have long, cascading hair and soft drapery. Art Deco relies on symmetry, stylised geometry, and sharp angles reflecting modern industrial progress. Dancers and ice skaters in this style display athletic poses and distinct twentieth-century fashion.

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Spelter Female Statue

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These spelter female statue pieces bring kinetic figures and atmospheric lighting from the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries straight into your room.