A bronzed spelter figure of a Renaissance Navigator Explorer, 19th century, a portrait of a 16th century explorer, carrying a map, wearing a golden Fleece pendant and supported by a plinth with rope and a compass, unsigned, height 21.65 in.
- Spelter - Spelter was the name given to an alloy of zinc and brass or copper used in the 19th century for statuary and lighting. It is a brittle bluish-white metal. It was used as a cheap replacement for bronze, but being brittle easily breaks and can't be repaired. When finished it can often be mistaken for bronze, but if discreet a scratch on the base displays shows a greyish colour, the metal is spelter, if a golden colour the metal is most likely bronze.
This item has been included into following indexes: