Foundry cast bronze happy Owl
Last one of his kind, his mould has now been retired.
Happy Bronze Owl – Last one of his kind, his mould has now been retired.
A foundry bronze in the palm of your hand!
Hot cast using the traditional lost-wax method, these small bronze owl sculptures make wonderful, thoughtful gifts and are very satisfying to both hold and collect.
They may be small on stature but they’re big on character and form!
- Foundry cast bronze sculpture
- Top quality bronze used for casting
- Made here in the UK
- Perfect palm size and reassuringly heavy to hold
- Each one is genuinely unique with its own personality and character
PACKAGING
♻️ PACKAGING
- Comes already gift wrapped in a posh box
- Certificate of authentication signed by me
- Free personalised gift message
- All packaging materials are recycled and recyclable
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About this Owl sculpture
What a happy little chappy! He looks like he’s just had a good feed and all is well with the world. His eye-catching blue patina contrasts nicely with his shiny metallic face.
How the foundry cast bronze collectables are made
The little bronzes are made in the same labour-intensive way as the bigger sculptures.
They all start as clay which I shape and form. A plaster and then silicon mould are then made from this clay master.
Molten wax is poured into the mould to create an exact copy of the original clay version.
The wax copy is then coated in a ceramic coating before being put in the furnace to allow the wax to melt and the ceramic shell to harden, leaving a double walled mould into which the molten bronze is poured.
Once cool, the ceramic shell is carefully removed and the bronze is fettled.
A combination of heat and chemicals is painted on to the bronze to create different colours (the patina). The piece is then given a good coating of wax which is what protects the patina. The wax is gently buffed to a sheen and they’re ready for their new owner.
Why choose this piece?
This little heirloom owl is made from the best quality bronze in the age old traditional way of lost-wax casting. He’s truly a labour of love and extra special because of it.
Bronze Sculpture Guide
What’s bronze made from?
Let’s start with the basics: What exactly is bronze?
Bronze is a metal alloy mostly made up of copper. Mass-produced bronzes often skimp on the copper content and use tin, lead, and iron instead which leave the sculptures open to corrosion and breakages.
The bronze I use for my sculptures contain a high copper content of 96%, along with 1% manganese and 3% silicon. The added silicon strengthens the sculptures, although it makes the process more challenging and costly for the foundry.
Hot cast or cold cast?
Hot or cold?
Cold cast bronze refers to sculptures made with resin and moulds, sometimes finished with bronze powder to mimic the look of a genuine bronze sculpture.
Hot cast Bronze involves creating a mold from the original sculpture, followed by the creation of a wax copy. The wax piece is then dipped multiple times in a ceramic coating, creating a sturdy shell. This is then heated in a kiln to melt the wax. Molten bronze can then be poured into the ceramic shell. Once cooled, the ceramic shell is removed, and the sculpture is assembled and perfected. The finishing touches involve patination to create beautiful surfaces, followed by a seal of hot wax that gives the sculpture its sheen and protects the surface from the elements.
Provenance
Limited editions.
The number of pieces in an edition directly impacts their exclusivity and value.
Higher edition numbers indicate less exclusivity, while lower numbers make each piece more sought after.
But that’s not all! Provenance matters too.
Can you trace the sculpture’s journey from the artist to your hands? Look for sculptures made in the UK by reputable foundries, as they proudly put their name to their work. And for your peace of mind and future valuation, you’ll receive a signed certificate of authentication alongside your bronze sculpture.
Caring for your bronze
Caring for your bronze
A wipe over with a clean, soft, dry cloth is all that’s needed unless the bronze is kept outside when it will need wax applying at least once a year to keep the elements off it and it looking like it should. Left to the elements the surface will develop into a green effect which is also rather nice.
