Is this spelter?

Hi,

Have started collecting spelter figures lately. Up till now the ones I've got have been signed (usually by one of the Moreau family), but the latest one has no signature at all. Which is surprising to me, as it's considerably more elaborate than the others I have.

It was described by the seller as being spelter, but it seems quite different to the other figures I have. For one thing it's been assembled from quite a few separate parts, not all of which seem to be the same metal. Even if the horse itself is spelter (which it does appear to be), other metals have been used in some places. The rider's crop seems to be more like brass, as does the hound running alongside and also the "plant" that is actually supporting the weight of the front of the horse (both of these have a darker finish, but the bare metal is showing through in places.)

I'm also struck by the sheer amount of detail in the casting, which goes far beyond the other spelter figures I've seen. Is this unusual?

Anyway I'm interested in any info people can provide about the materials used, and who might have manufactured it. Also interested in the age too, although I'm guessing late Victorian?

Regards,
Ian

 

Ian, could you please use the edit feature & select 'full image' so we don't have to click on so many thumbnails. TY

 

Done, sorry still trying to figure out the different options. Hope it's ok now.

 

PERFECT!

 

Could be patinated brass or bronze. I would try a deep scratch on the underside of the base. If silver = spelter. yellow = brass or bronze, with the latter being a bit darker.

 

I have a couple of spelter dog figurines but they certainly don't have the detail your piece has. It is lovely!

Hope there are a few members that have the expertise to help you out.

 

Beautiful cat. I see it is getting an inspection prior to placement.

 

Maine Coon, maybe a mix.
Loves water, kind of klutzy. Although yours seems to have smaller than normal feet. So may be able to get around things without knocking them off the shelf.
Usually very loving, chirps rather than meows.
Lovely example.
Need pictures of those large green eyes.

 

Thanks I took the photo again from the same angle with the cat out of the way, but then when I looked at which ones to upload I decided the cat wasn't blocking anything on the first version, and actually it helped to indicate the size of the figure. So decided to use that one instead.

 

The Cat
He/she doesn't have a name?
You are on a board with a LOT of cat lovers.

 

Yah...like really...!
the metal...bah......we want to see the pussy cat !!

"the cat wasn't blocking anything on the first version, and actually it helped to indicate the size of the figure."

Not Really !!!!

 

Hi Ian, and WELCOME to ANTIQUERS!!! LOVE that figure, and the detail is just plain WONDERFUL!!!!! But sorry, can't help on the metal! Cat is adorable too!! Looks like the dog might have been repaired on it's right front leg?? Not that that would bother me!! Have you gone over it with a Magnifying glass/loupe where all that fine scrolling is either ON the base or IN her dress, for any marks?? You just never know!!!!

 

It is a beauty, but maybe a but small for a Maine Coon? Or a kitten?
I have seen Persian/Tabby crosses that look like that, including the small feet.

 

I've looked pretty closely for maker's marks without success, but there's so many nooks and crannies that it's possible that I missed something that wasn't meant to be easily found. It *looks* to me (in other words I'm possibly wrong) that the legs of both the dog and horse are separate castings as there are joins there. But they seem perfectly clean joins rather than anything caused by a breakage. However there does seem to be a repair on one of the horse's legs, but that appears to have been fixed by someone with some skill. (And also pointing it out to the seller helped me to get the price down on it so I can't complain too much )

 

Oh and for everyone asking about the cat, his name is Ziggy Just a rescue cat so a mix of different things I guess, although it does feel like there's either some maine coon or norwegian forest cat heritage in there somewhere.

 

rescue is fine by us.......many of ours are ! ..( or were ! )
Thank you for giving him a loving home...!!

( it is a loving home...right ??? )

 

what....never seen a cat sit on top of a clock ??? Bawhahaha!!!!!!!!!!