Bronzes are Forever! Ultra Special Art for the Ages
Bronzes are Forever!
The art of bronze making has been known now for over two thousand years and the great artists have worked in this medium and a small town in Tuscany has hit the jackpot with a discovery of a hoard of more than 20 bronze statues and 6,000 gold, silver and bronze dating from the second century BC. They were found buried deep in an ancient thermal pool in San Casciano dei Bagni near Sienna.
The statues were not only of well known Roman gods like Apollo and Igea, the ancient Greek god and goddess of health, but many were minor deities barely known by historians. The bronzeware and coins were given as offerings for the health of wealthy locals, asking for divine help from ailments and disease. The inscriptions were in both Latin and Etruscan, a vanished civilisation that the Romans completely eradicated.
And if you want an artwork to grace your home, or give as a gift to that very special person then can I recommend a wonderful Richard Cooper bronze that will last lifetime and be an heirloom to pass down the generations. This Barn Owl sculpted by Keith Sherwin and is made in solid foundry bronze using the same ancient method of lost wax casting that was used in the San Casciano dei Bagni hoard. Back in Roman days the bronzes would be painted for greater realism as is the Barn Owl bronze. The hawthorn leaves and berries are hand painted and the design is finished by the art of patination where acids are applied to the surface of the bronze and heat applied to create a deep rich brown patina. Then bronze is then sealed with a special wax which further enhances the colour and protects the bronze for generations to come. It comes with a signed certificate of authenticity and the bronze is engraved with the sculptor’s signature and limited edition number, matching the certificate enclosed. So lovely!
