Have you ever been deceived into buying a spelter statue at the high price of bronze? You can easily get into such a situation, as bronze and spelter look alike. So, how do you differentiate them?
No worries, I am here with some keynotes and tricks to point out the differences and identify a bronze and a spelter sculpture-
Understanding of Bronze and Spelter
Bronze is the prime material for historic metal sculptures. It is an alloy (a mixture of metals) mainly consisting of copper and tin. However, bronze also contains other trace elements, such as aluminum, magnesium, and phosphorus.
Bronze is widely used due to its durability. The most popular and key property of bronze is its less corrosive nature. It can withstand the weather better than any other metal alloy.
Another alloy that closely resembles bronze is spelter. It is a hybrid of zinc and lead. Compared to copper in bronze, zinc is a cheaper and less durable metal.
Basically, spelter was used as an alternative to bronze, which was widely used as weapon material. The shortage of bronze during World War 1 made spelter popular for sculpting.
What Is The Difference Between Bronze and Spelter?
Although bronze and spelter sculptures look similar, you can differentiate them by looking at some clues. These are as follows:
Weight
Weight of Bronze
Bronze’s atomic composition includes over 80% copper. Copper’s high atomic weight makes bronze statues heavier and denser. Besides, the thick casting of bronze also influences its weight.
Weight of Spelter
Spelter statues are comparatively lightweight, as zinc (the main element of spelter) is lighter than copper. Besides, the casting of spelter is thinner than that of bronze.
Sound
Sound of Bronze
You can softly knock the sculpture with a metal thing (screwdriver or hammer) to check the sound it resonates. The bronze sculptures make a heavy thud-like sound as if you are hitting a block of wood.
Sound of Spelter
Spelter statue makes a hollow and tin-like sound.
Outer Color And Undertone
Color of Bronze
You will observe the classic deep gold color in bronze sculptures. Although the color may differ with patina, most bronze sculptures have a warm undertone.
Color of Spelter
Due to their zinc content, spelter sculptures are whitish and silvery. Unfortunately, if a Spelter sculpture is patinated artistically, the silvery tone may not show outward. In that case, you’ve got to check the next character.
Scratch /Crack Color
Scratch in Bronze
The bronze sculpture is durable and can withstand harsh weather. But it can also wither or grow pale over time, leaving scratches.
You may observe the scratch size and type. It has very thin and fine lines. The scratch color expresses the true golden color of bronze, irrespective of patina usage.
Scratch in Spelter
On the other hand, you’ll see that the scratches in the Spelter sculpture are chip-like. They are not thin; instead, they come off like paint.
The scratch color in the spelter is white to gray. Also, a spelter sculpture will have more scratches as it reacts to the environment easily.
Detail Works And Joints
Detailings in Bronze
Bronze is made by casting, so the details are to the point. You won’t find any signs of joints. However, a foundry mark/ signature may be found on an authentic bronze sculpture.
Detailings in Spelter
As the spelter has thin casting, welding is not possible. As a result, you may find lots of joints in a spelter sculpture. However, epoxy resin is used to make the joints less visible. Here is a pro tip: carry a magnifying glass to check on the details while buying.
Temperature
Temperature Feel in Bronze
Bronze feels warm to the touch. Try touching the sculpture for a while to feel its warmth. However, bronze has a higher melting point, which makes it more heat resistant.
Temperature Feel in Spelter
Spelter is cooler in nature. Zinc is a good heat conductor, so it quickly removes the heat from spelter sculptures. This keeps the statues cool; touching them lets you feel the coolness.
Chemical Reactivity
Bronze Chemical Reactivity
Bronze is corrosive resistant, and the formation of the patina protects it from further corrosion. However, it can react with acid rain. The bronze may be discolored if the statue is under constant rain or underwater (Shipwreck accident).
Spelter Chemical Reactivity
Spelter is highly reactive to other components. So the damage is greater here. Besides, unlike bronze, it doesn’t form any natural patina. This makes them less corrosive-resistant than bronze.
Bronze vs Spelter: Pricing
Pricing of Bronze
Art bronze is expensive due to its durability and historic art value. However, the price depends on the statue’s size, design, and patina. To learn more about bronze statue prices, check this- How Much Does It Cost to Buy a Life-Size Bronze Sculpture?
Pricing of Spelter
Spelter is cheaper than bronze, so if you are on a tight budget, go for spelter statues. Nevertheless, these sculptures show visible damage as they age.
Bronze vs Spelter: Artistic Value And Rarity
Value And Rarity Of Bronze
Authentic bronze sculptures have been made by fine craftsmen and artists. They also hold historic value, making them rare.
Value And Rarity Of Spelter
Before the 19th century, spelter was used for everyday necessities like pots and candles. At that time, spelter wasn’t valuable as a sculpture material. In WW1, spelter gained popularity among artists and sculptors.
But at present, many people are buying spelter as it has an uncanny resemblance to bronze, with a lower price point.
Bronze vs Spelter: Advantages
Advantages of Bronze
- High durability
- Corrosion resistant
- Fine details
- Heavyweight, which makes it less likely to have a dent.
- Doesn’t scratch easily
- Artistic value and historic value is high
Advantages of Spelter
- It resembles bronze
- Affordable
- Comparatively new, so a lot of stylish and artistic sculptures are found in this material
Bronze vs Spelter: Disadvantages
Disadvantage of Bronze
- High price
- Most of the bronze sculptures are large, so it requires a larger space to showcase them
- Takes expertise for proper maintenance
- High-quality wax is needed to keep the sculptor shining
Disadvantage of Spelter
- Less durable
- Easily dented or corroded.
- Scratches are visible
- Easily reacts to environmental changes
Quick Chart: Bronze vs Spelter
| Properties | Bronze | Spelter |
| Weight | Heavy | Light |
| Sound | Thud/ Dense | Hollow/Tin-Like |
| Outer color | Reddish-Golden | Whitish-Silvery |
| Scratch-Type | Intricate | Chip-Like |
| Scratch color | Golden | Silver |
| Detail work | Exquisite | Average |
| Temperature | Warm | Cool |
| Magnetic | No | =”416″>No
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Which Statue Is Best For You: Bronze vs Spelter?
When To Choose Bronze?
- Sophisticated and authentic sculpture
- Large budget project
- Have a large area to showcase the sculpture
- Financial stability to buy high-priced wax and cleaning equipment
When To Choose Spelter?
- Low budget project
- Need to spend more time on maintenance
- More modern and stylish designs
- The longevity of the sculpture isn’t necessary
Conclusion
The debate between bronze and spelter is evergreen among collectors. Now you’ve all these tips and tricks to differentiate them. If you’re still confused about authentic bronze sculpture, you can visit K-SOURCE. We have some excellent bronze animals, ballerinas, angels, and military statues. Check our bronze statue catalogs and place your order ASAP!
FAQs
How do you test bronze at home?
You can test bronze by looking for a reddish or deep golden color and a deep thud-like sound. Besides, inspect the casting, which should be thick.
How to identify spelters?
You can identify spelters by their whitish or silvery color, thin casting, and tin-like or hollow sound.
Is spelter magnetic?
Spelter doesn’t have iron(Fe) in it, so it isn’t magnetic.
Do bronze and spelter rust?
Rust, or FeO2, occurs when oxygen binds with iron. Bronze and spelter don’t have iron in them, so they don’t rust.