French Bronze Bust-Artist-Foundry Mark-Age ID Help

Any help appreciated..It is 4-1/2" tall

 

I don't have my "bible of bronzes set" of books along with me but believe this could be about a 1990s reproduction of an older piece due to the size and base. What does the bottom felt look like? Can you see the attachment?

 

this could be about a 1990s reproduction of an older piece due to the size and base.

Agree. Also not a very good casting-I somewhat doubt it is actually bronze. If it is easy to dismount, do so and look at insjde and edges-may be spelter or some other metal. The surface is flat-matte looking with none of the "depth" that smooth patinated bronze usually has. Also the color isn't exactly one I can recall from looking at lots of old bronze.

 

Thank you for your replies....Is there a way to test or see if it is bronze?

Here is the attachment,on bottom.

 

First, since it may be hard to tell exactly what it is made of, why do you need to know? If just for listing, see if a magnet attracts it. If not u can say it is made of nonferrous metal (if it is metal.)

The nut underneath makes it look like it has some age, but that has no bearing on what metal it is. To find out more u might want to remove nut and look at underside of the head.

Bronze is normally used for relatively expensive sculptures. When fine details need near-perfect replication, bronze is a good choice. I don't see this as something the makers would normally have considered making from bronze.

 

Thanks for your help...It is non magnetic....Not bronze...I scratched the bottom border & there is a silver metal under the paint...Possibly lead or spelter?

 

Good for you-thanks for opening it up-you had my curiosity up. Yes, if you can scratch the metal easily with fingernail, it could be lead; if not may be spelter.