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James Cook

Choosing and taking care of your bronze sculptures

Updated: Jul 4, 2023

Adding bronze sculptures to your living spaces requires careful selection and placement. These pieces have the power to elevate the room with their unique and refined style. Bronze is an excellent material for sculptures and small statues because of its exquisite qualities. With proper maintenance and attention to detail, these investments can last for generations, enhancing your interior decor with sophistication and taste.


How are bronze sculptures made?


The lost wax bronze casting process is a complex and labor-intensive technique used to create bronze sculptures. This process is particularly favored by many sculptors for its ability to produce fine, detailed results. After a silicon model is made of the original sculpture, the Lost Wax process begins with the creation of a hollow wax replica of the original sculpture. This model is then covered in a ceramic shell, which is made by repeatedly dipping the wax model into a ceramic slurry and allowing it to dry. The ceramic shell is then heated in a kiln, causing the wax to melt and drain away, leaving a negative space in the shell that is an exact replica of the original wax model. Molten bronze is then poured into the ceramic shell, filling the negative space left by the melted wax. After the bronze has cooled and hardened, the ceramic shell is broken away, revealing the finished bronze sculpture. This process can be repeated multiple times to create a series of identical limited-edition sculptures. The lost wax process requires a high degree of skill and expertise, as any flaws or imperfections in the wax model or the ceramic shell can result in a damaged or incomplete bronze sculpture. James Cook works closely with skilled foundry artisans who specialize in the lost wax process to ensure that their sculptures are produced to the highest standard. Despite the time and effort required, the lost wax bronze casting process is often preferred by sculptors because of the high level of detail and precision it can achieve. This technique allows for the creation of sculptures with intricate designs, delicate textures, and nuanced expressions that would be difficult to achieve using other casting methods. The result is a beautiful and enduring work of art that will be treasured for generations to come.



How do you protect your investment?


The colour and appearance of a bronze sculpture will change over time as the bronze reacts to chemicals and humidity in the air. This is not necessarily a bad thing because it adds more character and depth to the sculpture. That said, you can reduce the speed to a changing patina by following these care tips:


  • Minimize the humidity of the room where you plan to display the sculpture.

  • Protect the sculpture from corrosive materials and household dust.

  • Avoid handling or touching the sculpture with bare hands.

  • Dust carefully and regularly with a soft cloth.

  • At least once a year, apply a thin layer of clear wax to create a protective coating. This can be buffed to enhance the shine of the bronze.



Where can you find bronze sculptures for your space?


Known for his intellectually stimulating and richly layered work, James Cook is one of the best bronze sculpture artists from South Africa. Check out his selection available for sale, or contact him through his website to have a custom design made.


About the Artist:

James Cook is a South African artist who creates bronze sculptures. His artistic journey started with pencil drawings of African animals, which he enjoyed creating with his father when he was young. After exploring various mediums, James found that bronze sculpture was his true calling. James' sculptures are inspired by the themes of love and relationships. He often draws on Greek mythology for inspiration, which gives his work a timeless quality. His sculptures tend to feature figures in various states of intimacy, exploring the complexities of human relationships.

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