Large bronze hare sculpture
The Divine Feminine Power
This stylised, foundry-cast bronze hare came into being after I watched a webinar about hares.
During the webinar I learned more about the history and folklore surrounding hares and was inspired to create a physical representation of this melting pot of symbolism.
Something of a departure from my usual sculptures she is probably my most personal piece.
Boxing Hares
I learned that when we see hares boxing, contrary to popular belief, it’s very often the females sizing up the strength of the males to see if they’re a worthy partner. If they pass this test then they have to keep up with her as she tests their speed. After this he has to fight off any other suitors, and only then will she contemplate having him father her offspring.
I was brought up like many in a world full of Disney princesses waiting to be rescued by their prince. The feminine power of the hare really resonated with me. I sculpted my hare checking over her shoulder to make sure he’s keeping up with her, her silken ears skimming her shoulders and flowing down her back.
Hare Folklore
I also discovered that people used to believe that witches could turn into hares. This added another level of intrigue to the story. Knowing that witches were persecuted for being “wise women” connected deeply with the earth, the feminine form of the sculpture ties in with the idea of a powerful, wise woman transitioning into nature.
Moon Gazing Hares
So often we see hares depicted as gazing at the moon. This hare sculpture I deliberately gave tribute to the deep link between hares and the moon – her Lunar Goddess stature reflecting the ancient figures of Roman mythology. The patina I chose reflects the blues and greys of a moonlight night which so often entices hares out into the fields of the countryside surrounding me.
More information
Limited Numbered Edition #2 of 9
Approx. Size 44cm height (17″) x 24cm (9.4″) width
Approx. Weight 12.3kg
Delivery
Free UK delivery!I generally post the next day using Royal Mail’s tracked 24 service, but please allow 5 working days.
International shipping
Cost of international shipping will be added at the checkout and customers are responsible for any customs and duties.
International delivery will take longer but is tracked.
VAT – Price includes VAT at 20% in applicable countries.
Commissions
To commission a hare in a different colour to the one in the photo, please contact me [email protected]
This lady is ready to go to her new home, no waiting.
Time payments are available to spread the cost.
How are they made?
I start each sculpture in exactly the same way, with a bag of professional grade clay.
Once dried but not bone dry, the hare was ready to have her moulds made.
From the plaster moulds, silicon moulds were made.
When a new hare is born, hot wax is poured into those silicon moulds to create an exact copy of each piece.
These are then carefully assembled to produce an exact copy of the original clay hare in wax, which is then dipped multiple times into a ceramic slurry to form an outer coating to the wax.
Once dry, they’re then put in the furnace and the wax melts out, leaving a hollow ceramic shell.
It’s this shell that the molten bronze is then poured into.
Once the bronze has cooled, the ceramic shell is knocked off to reveal the bronze casting beneath. The inside is ground out and then the pieces assembled and finished by hand.
Then comes the patination process – a combination of heat and different chemicals to produce different colours.
Once the patina is complete, hare gets all hot and bothered again before a generous coating of wax is applied to protect the finish, she’s allowed to cool, then buffed to a shine.
Here’s some snaps I took during her creation process…
Bronze sculpture guide
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 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.
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
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.
