How can you tell if an antique clock is bronze?

I recently bought a clock in an auction, and trying to find out what it is, I think its from the 19th century. But not sure what its made out of.
Is there a way to tell if something is bronze, brass or spelter?
Thanks.
Here are some photos. https://www.antiquers.com/threads/c...7cm-tall-22-4-inches-8-4kg.39028/#post-695174

 

lots of ways.....but we'll need to see it ....cuz that's the best way !!

 

If it's metal, and it's light and insubstantial - spelter.

If it's metal, and if you polish it, it's golden yellow - brass.

If it's metal and it doesn't polish at all (or is very difficult to polish) then it's bronze.

Usually they're either brass, or bronze. Also - it's considered bad form to polish bronze, so if you do decide to polish it, at least do it somewhere where it won't be seen. (like behind the clock).

 

It would help to see it. The fact that you have no idea indicates it may be gilded metal. Do not try to polish it without establishing if it is gilded. You will just rub the gilding off.
The only bronze examples you will find tend to be 19th C. French (or earlier and fire-gilt) with cheaper but similar spelter examples of similar design clocks.
The easy test is turn the thing upside down (after removing the pendulum if any) and with a sharp steel point, scratch under a foot, a good deep scratch, no one will ever see it, and look at the metal. If it is silvery, it is spelter, if it is golden, it is bronze.
About the only time you will find gilt brass in in carrage clocks.

There were simple brass clocks made, they are easy to spot visually if you know what's what in clocks. Otherwise it is show and we tell.

 

Ive heard that brass and bronze give the same golden colour off. Os that true?

 

https://www.antiquers.com/threads/c...7cm-tall-22-4-inches-8-4kg.39028/#post-695174

 

reposting the above link so it doesn't jump to the bottom of that thread (save a little scrolling ):

https://www.antiquers.com/threads/c...tury-clock-57cm-tall-22-4-inches-8-4kg.39028/

 

Cheers @sabre123

 

Looks like gilt brass to me. Or would've been, originally.

 

Hi there, cheers for the information. Did you manage to take a look at the photos?