Wednesday, August 13, 2014

Any Metalurgists in the Room?

I bought this cool metal giraffe at GW. I can't figure out what kind of metal it is or if it is real vintage or a Pier One type knock off. It's so hard with all the fake vintage stuff out there. It's about 14" high and wieghs about 10 ounces. It has sort of a bronze look. Underneath though the metal is a different color bright and brassy. I think it's pretty cool looking but I'm not sure if it's worth anything or just a cheap decorative object. What do you think? Do you ever stress over whether an object is true vintage? Or what to call the material it is made from?





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11 comments:

  1. SondraAugust 13, 2014 at 12:20 PM

    is it brass?

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  2. Kimberly HutmacherAugust 13, 2014 at 1:16 PM

    If it were bronze, it would be much heavier.

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    1. NancyAugust 13, 2014 at 1:45 PM

      OK! Thanks Kimberly. I wonder why it is dark on most of it except the rough areas under his bum. Is it because there is a finish on it? Or is it tarnished? Maybe I should try to clean it in a small spot.

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  3. Kimberly HutmacherAugust 13, 2014 at 2:01 PM

    Nancy, I found this link with some hints on identifying different metals. According to this, it could be bronze, because the density varies. Maybe the bronze that I've seen in the past has been the kind with lead in it. http://www.instructables.com/id/Identify-Metals/

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    1. NancyAugust 13, 2014 at 2:04 PM

      Thank you :) It is a very skinny piece so it feels hefty for it's size but not overly heavy either. I'll check out the site.

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  4. NancyAugust 13, 2014 at 2:30 PM

    It rings like a bell but bronze, brass and copper all do :)

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  5. Jay DedmanAugust 18, 2014 at 6:42 AM

    Not sure what kind of metal without really getting a feel. Looks like bronze, but you say it's not heavy enough...so probably be brass. If it is brass it sold shine up.

    Regardless it's a very cool piece. I'd put it up for $40. It's in the style of a Mid Century Modern design. Without any markings, difficult to say if it's anything more.

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    1. NancyAugust 18, 2014 at 8:14 AM

      Thanks Jay. I always struggle with asking "too much" money for something I don't know much about. I think you mentioned recently in a podcast about being confident to ask enough for things. I guess if someone buys it and doesn't think it's worth what they paid then they can return it. You and Ryanne also talked about the "fake vintage" stuff that's out there. I'd hate to sell it as vintage and then see it on clearance at Pier One. It has no markings indicating where or when it was made.

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  6. Margaret @ Live Like No One ElseAugust 19, 2014 at 5:17 AM

    I've sold mental figurines in the past like this. I wasn't sure which metal it was, so I indicated that it could be either brass or bronze. Had both in the listing and it sold. It may sell not for the metal, but for how cool the figurine is. And I've used vintage? in listing when I wasn't sure. Definitely ask a higher price with a bo. It all depends on how bad someone wants it.

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