Introduction to Antique Bronze Statues

There are many people who for one reason or another enjoy collecting and learning about antiques namely, antique bronze statues. Some of the most beautiful pieces of art are bronze statues, and most think they exude an air of majesty and regalness about them. Statues have been used for thousands of years to pay homage to gods, to serve as memorials and to decorate the grounds of palaces all over the world.
So, what exactly is bronze? It is basically an alloy of copper, zinc and tin. Sometimes there are other metals that are also added in. Bronze is a very good metal to use for significant and important statues of all kinds not only because it is beautiful but also because it is hard, strong and durable too. It is usually a brown color with a gleam of gold added in. Usually it is used in a sheet form or it is cast into particular shapes, such as in the case of the statue. Bronze has also been used throughout history for coins, armor, weapons, clocks and many other types of sculptures. Bronze is actually the preferred choice for sculpting because it is strong and holds its shape. It is also lighter than marble, which makes it easier to work with and easier to transport.
So how are antique bronze statues made? Initially, they were made as completely solid bronze structures. It wasnt until later that hollow casting was invented, and ever since then, they have been creating using the casting method. First, a model is created of wax, and it is an exact copy of what the final antique bronze statue will look like, down to every little detail and carving. Over three more stages, a mold is created. A thin layer of china clay is mixed with water, and is then applied over the wax model using a paintbrush. For two whole days it is allowed to dry, and this process is repeated twice! After that, a mixture is applied over the model at a thickness of about 2 cm. A few holes are made at the bottom of the mold once all of the paste is dry. It is through these holes that the bronze will later be poured. Until then, thin wax rods are inserted into them.
After that, a mixture of rice husk, sand and clay is applied and allowed to try, and the mold with the openings facing downwards is put into an oven. The actual bronze that is to become the antique bronze statue is also placed into the oven to be melted, which happens at about 1,800 degrees Fahrenheit. During firing, the wax plugs melt, the clay hardens and the bronze melts and then is poured into the holes. It then cools for two days before the mold is chipped away, leaving nothing but the antique bronze statue to be polished and detailed.
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