Searching for Bronze animal statues gifts? Bronze sculptures 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. Read more details at Bronze sculpture.
Advice for getting bronze art valued: Have realistic expectations. Last, be realistic about your expectations. There are some bronze sculptures that are frequently replicated, and they can be found all over the place such as pieces by Remington, Rodin, and Renoir. If you’re looking at one of these pieces, the chances of it being worth anything substantial are slim to none. However, with less replicated pieces, they have the potential to be original casts or recasts, and the value for these can vary.
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.
My wonderful Desk Buddies series are a more accessible part of my collection. They are intended to capture the spirit and energy of my larger limited edition pieces, all while fitting into any setting in your home or office. These pieces are perfect for offices, living rooms, bedrooms, and more, and make a wonderful gift for both seasoned bronze collectors as well as those who are just starting to grow their collections. Source: www.laurelpetersongregory.com.
About Laurel Peterson Gregory : When I’m not in the studio, I can usually be found in the 10 large gardens with which I’ve surrounded my home and converted barn in the foothills of the Front Range south of Denver. My bronze animal sculptures have received multiple awards and are represented by galleries across the United States. I have fulfilled numerous private, corporate, and public commissions.