Searching for Bronze cats statues to buy? Bronze statues are perfect for a special gift occasion or if you want to infuse some art in to your home. The “Lost Wax” bronze casting method dates back centuries to ancient Chinese, Indian, Greek and Egyptian cultures. And though the technique has evolved, it’s still much like it was in ancient times.
I find that even collectors of bronze can be unclear about how editions work. Here I’ll pull back the curtain on the bronze industry a little and give you some key vocabulary to understand what you’re seeing here and at other sculpture sites. You’ll find a nice video on the process of how bronze sculptures are made right here, so I won’t get into that again. Early on in the process I decide how large an edition will be, in other words how many of a particular design will be created before the mold is destroyed. This is the whole idea behind limited-edition bronzes. Artist’s Proofs — Artist proofs are typically kept around by sculptors to compare to each member of the edition as they are produced to make sure the chasing, patina, etc. all look right. Artists proofs may or may not be made available to the public. There is also no hard and fast rule about how many artist’s proofs might get made for an edition, but typically it can be up to a 10th of the edition size. So, should I be so inclined, there might eventually be four artists proofs of 13” Doxie Bump. These will be numbered on each “AP 1,” “AP 2,” and so on. Foundry Proofs — Similar to artist’s proofs, foundry proofs are used at full-service foundries to serve as reference tools at each stage of production. There would be a wax foundry proof to help the wax chaser recreate what the finished piece should look like. There will also be a chased metal foundry proof to provide guidance to the metal chaser who’s grinding and welding the raw metal. Lastly, there would be a patina foundry proof to guide the patineur in applying the correct final coloration. See additional details at Bronze sculpture.
Trick for getting bronze art appraised: Have an authenticity statement. The easiest way to know the value of your piece is by having an authenticity statement from the artist. A certificate of authenticity ensures that the piece was made by the artist, and it goes a long way in determining the new value as the piece ages. If the bronze sculpture is something you have inherited, you can potentially contact the artist to receive more information on the value of the piece.
Bronze sculptures maintenance: The best cleaning solution to use for your cleaning your outdoor bronze sculpture is (drumroll please) … soap and water. That’s right: just use a tiny bit of dish soap in a clean bucket with a clean rag. Don’t use too much soap or else it may leave a residue. You’ll want to avoid any bleach-based products or scented options. Dip a clean rag into your soapy water and get to wiping. If your outdoor bronze sculpture has numerous tight spaces, use a soft toothbrush. This toothbrush can also be helpful for getting the hard-to-remove debris off such as bird poop.
In addition to my bronzes that are limited or open editions, I do have several designs that are totally unique and have allowed me to experiment with different materials. My Column series combines different mediums such as oil painting and copper mesh, and my On the Rocks stemmed from my love of petrified wood and hornfels as a platform on which to show my smaller bronzes. I have also created several ceramic environments for a number of my lovable desk buddies. Be sure to check back often as the selections change often and pieces are adopted quickly. Visit: Bronze Animal Sculptures.
About Laurel Peterson Gregory : After I sculpt an animal in wax or oil-based clay, traditional lost-wax casting processes immortalize the design in bronze. One aspect of particular interest to me, and one for which I plan early in the sculpting phase, is the complex and rich patinas that constitute another hallmark of my limited-edition sculptures. Multiple layers of chemicals and oxides are applied to the heated bronze to achieve a range of unique effects, both translucent and opaque, that complement each design.
