Painted Spelter Sculpture ? what did I buy

[tamrock]

I gave $39.00 for this 8.5in x 8.5in x 4.0in hand painted spelter or white metal cast figure. I'm not so sure as to how old it is and what it is, other then maybe some kind of table tobacco stand? It needs some touch up on the paint. I did talk to a friend who told me of an art and painting restorer in the area and she said she just paid $150.00 to have a painting of her's restored. She sent some picture of this to the art restorer and they said they could touch this up very well and work by the hour, so that cost would need to be determined and I'm not sure if I want to do all that. Maybe I gave too much for it, but I thought it had a lot of charm and could turn a buck?

I can't find another one like it online to compare this one to, other then other cold paint spelter figures allot like it, but different subjects. There are no markings what so ever on it.

Maybe you know what I have there Diggum? Or any of you available for opinions.


What say you

 

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[diggummup]

Are you sure it's spelter? Not magnetic, I would assume? You have a cigarette and match holder from the looks of it. Here is a cast iron version that sold on etsy but no other info available https://www.google.com/search?q=pai...isch&q=painted+black+americana+top+hat+figure -

 

[mojjax]

I think it looks great the way it is . Touching up the paint might take away from the value .

 

[mojjax]

Here's a similar one on ebay -
Vtg Black Americana Cigarette Holder Match Safe Metal Statue | eBay

 

[tamrock]

Guess I didn't use the right key words in my search. It is non magnetic... I've always called this white metal, spelter, pot metal, soft metal. I know it has a low melting temp. Sure maybe I could get a hundred out of it as-is? I was thinking maybe more all nice and neat looking. I guess this restorer does pretty good work, but could put the overall cost at over a hundred or so. Missing the ash tray I see from the etsy example. I think I'll see about the touch up cost and just add that info to the listing when I put it up.

Thanks! All

 

[diggummup]

I agree, it's in great condition for it's age. Original is better in this case. It's gotta be close to 100 years old. And your right, white metal, pot metal, spelter, it's all the same thing more or less. Maybe the one I found was listed incorrectly and it too was pot metal? At any rate, it's a great piece. It would be a keeper for me.

 

[captain flintlock]

I agree as well with diggummup. I'd wipe the dust off carefully and that would be it for me. Keep it, or flip it for a decent price and let the final owner decide whether or not to restore it. I personally think it's good just as it sits!!

 

[tamrock]

I agree, it's in great condition for it's age. Original is better in this case. It's gotta be close to 100 years old. And your right, white metal, pot metal, spelter, it's all the same thing more or less. Maybe the one I found was listed incorrectly and it too was pot metal? At any rate, it's a great piece. It would be a keeper for me.

Around a 100 you think?. I was putting it in a range of late 20s to mid 30s. The hand painted details are very well done. They even painted each front teeth. No doubt they used some very small paint brushes.

 

[dejapooh]

I agree with the Majority. Don't paint or touch that up. In general, if you do not KNOW you are going to improve something (for example, you go on the antique road show and they TELL you it will be improved by repairs" I wouldn't try to improve anything. Clean it, sell it, let the customer deal with it as THEY see fit.

 

[diggummup]

This image or one very similar is portrayed on a few different smoking related items, including "John" Cuban Cigarros, which is similar (in colors) to the one I posted earlier,this pack dates to the 1930's.

Then there is this Johann Maresch ceramic humidor with the same colors as yours which dates a little earlier around the turn of the century or first decade.

I would date yours to around that same era.

 

[patiodadio]

Don't restore it ! I think its great the way it is and painting etc will bring the value down.

 

[tamrock]

This image or one very similar is portrayed on a few different smoking related items, including "John" Cuban Cigarros, which is similar (in colors) to the one I posted earlier,this pack dates to the 1930's.

Then there is this Johann Maresch ceramic humidor with the same colors as yours which dates a little earlier around the turn of the century or first decade.

I would date yours to around that same era.

This is wonderful additional information there dig's. I wonder if this item was comitioned by this brand of smokes ?