Methods, History  & Design

For me, working with sculpture in bronze has been a wonderful thing. While there are many books written on Patination, very few have been written by someone who does it for a living.  I have found that while most of my colleagues are generous with their knowledge and expertise, many are guarded, as though sharing what they know will do them out of a job. The reverse is true, without sharing this art from they make it smaller, unknown and less popular. The next generation of founders (If there are any) , metalworkers, sculptors and artists it will become a skill that was rather one that is. 

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I am an accredited ICON conservator, I've studied at Oxford, Birkbeck, Cambridge, Cautald etc. But before that I was a foundry man, a metalworker, I chased bronze and beat iron, I patinated. Patination is about colour and colour is everything. Forget shit sculpting or bad fabrication, I can make it disappear with a nice colour and there's no colours like those on bronze.

 I have decided to write down the recipes and methods that I know and have asked the patineurs and foundrymen of The Crucible Foundry, The Fiorini Foundry, The Meridian Foundry, the Arch Bronze Foundry and the Art Bronze Foundry to do the same. I leave this resource open to add to, use and enjoy. 

CPD

Byzantine Belt Buckle, Private Collection

We are lucky enough to have worked on museum quality objects.