I was taught 'primer, rub down, undercoat, rub down, top coat, rub down, 2nd top coat, rub down, third coat, use strange words when flies land on it....' I am hoping to find some nicer 'tete de berger' over the weekend, old new stock often comes up at brocantes. The older castings had finer detail. That said, as it will be 9' up a wall and covered in paint, no-one will notice. In 1910, people said flying will never catch on, cars are a flash in the pan and the sun never sets on the British Empire. Of course we are still mourning King Edward VII who died in May, but King George V will keep the peace in Europe.....