Ansonia finishes

[dumbo2]

Did Ansonia "colorize" any of it's metal cases? Such as, painting the flowers red and the leaves green, or the faces of the statues skin tones.

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[dumbo2]

Did Ansonia "colorize" any of it's metal cases? Such as, painting the flowers red and the leaves green, or the faces of the statues skin tones.

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[john brendel]

Hi,
I think they did, although the only evidence I have is based on some statues I have seen. It is always possible that some artistic type decided to paint them. I think colored statues were said to have art nouveau finishes. I know some of their iron mantel clocks came in outrageous colors, like pink. John

[Mike306p/Ansoniaman]

I have seen the painted Ansonia Statues before , however most are obvious "artists" own versions , to suit their own taste. But in the books and the originals that I have seen in person , none have been painted . Flowers or anything .The statue finish was either Japanese Bronze, Syrian Bronze. . Some of the swinger balls were painted blue or red and had the two finishes Barbedienne Bronze or Verde Bronze as a choice for the ball.Some of the clocks were bronze , barbedienne or Silver . Hope this helps. I could be wrong .Anyone else? Mike 0136966

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[dumbo2]

Thanks for the responses. I have many ansonia clocks and few of them have "original" finishes. Color seems to be an added feature.

[john brendel]

Hi,
There is currently a sybil and winter on e-bay. Winter has a green dress and bronze skin. The seller considers these finishes to be original, and I would agree. John

[Mike306p/Ansoniaman]

That is called "Verde Bronze" . Verde means green , Sorry , it was made that way .Mike 0136966

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[john brendel]

Hi Mike,
Do you know what an "art nouveau" finish looks like? Many standing singles came with this finish. It isn't gold because there is a price distinction made between "rich gold" and "art nouveau", with the "art nouveau" being more expensive. Also all the books I have seen have drawings printed in black and white. John

[This message has been edited by john brendel (edited 11-14-2002).]

[This message has been edited by john brendel (edited 11-14-2002).]

[Mike306p/Ansoniaman]

Hi John I know what you mean on the finishes. And I see where Dumbo2 posted the original question about flowers , faces , etc being painted.I am not disputing anything but some people have painted flowers etc on there own and it is sometimes hard to determine original from "artists version" the way they like it.Like the ebay photo I sent you John. Sorry for the confusion if there was any. Mike 0136966 :smile:

[freddiebear]

I have an antique black Ansonia mantel clock (1883) that I would like to restore the case, what products should I use?

[laprade]

If some pictures of the aforementioned clocks were available, then it would help some of us to answer the posed questions.

And nice pictures of clocks make our lives much brighter!

All the ansonia cast iron imitations of Belguim-marble made clocks, that I have ever handled, were painted with what would appear to be a "stove enamelled" hard gloss finish in black.

I think in most instances of these types, Ansonia had the "henry ford approach"

"You can have any coulor as long as it's black"

[BruceB]

Here's an 'attic fresh' Ansonia cast iron model that I just dragged home yesterday. It has the high-gloss stove enamel type finish you mentioned.

It think it will clean up easily. Its got a collection of small chips just below the dial that look like spots, but really are chips.

Pictures included :)

The bonus is that it appears to have been well cared-for, the movement was clean and properly oiled somewhat recently before its 30 year exodus to an attic, and it runs nicely as is.

I'm supposed to try to sell it for the owner, but I may just keep it.