Relevant categories: Bronzes
(Above photo - pair of art deco bronze greyhounds )
So, you want to buy a bronze greyhound? If it is an antique, then you should be careful to ensure you only buy a genuine piece. Don’t expect it to be simple. You need to be an expert to have a hunch about a bronze statue, the first time you see it. If you aren’t, then you should take time to learn the techniques that will come in handy. Like other sculptures, bronze greyhounds are limited edition and identical in nature. An artist comes up with a mold which he or she gives to a licensed foundry to produce the sculptures. In short, all sculptures produced in foundries using the original mold are considered genuine.
n order to know how to tell if you are dealing with a fake bronze greyhound, you need a good understanding of how bronze sculptures are made. We look at that in greater detail below. Chasing As an Art
(Above photo - Bronze greyhound dogs ) After casting, a bronze sculpture is given time to cool. After that, the artist removes the sprue/rod marks through a process known as chasing. All scars are blended carefully until they match the larger surface of the sculpture. Since it depends on an individual’s skills, what comes out after chasing is unique to an artist, just like the brush strokes are to a painter. Due to the intricacies that go into the chasing process, you can easily tell a fake sculpture. If anything, modern bronzes are produced using machines and might not have a fine surface like that of one smoothed using bare hands and a chisel. So, you only need to look for lines left by an electric drill to know you are dealing with a fake.
Patination and Its Importance
(Above photo - Deco bronze greyhound ) After chasing the surface of a bronze sculpture, what follows is the application of patina. It protects the surface and also gives it a more beautiful look. The patina of a bronze sculpture, therefore, becomes an important part of its history. For genuine bronze greyhounds, which were made of an alloy consisting of more copper, the patina will be an exquisite pink color. For modern bronze, which has a lot of silicone in it, the patina will be a grey or silvery undertone.
Color of the Base
(Above photo - Pair antique art deco greyhounds in bronze )
Original bronze greyhounds were mostly placed on onyx or marble bases. This enhanced the look of the figurine even as it protected the surface of furniture from damage. Today, it is impossible to get the onyx and marble used on the originals. That’s because the mines from which these materials were sourced have been closed since the Second World War. If you find a bronze with a colorful onyx or marble base, it is definitely genuine. Anything lacking in color is fake. The marble could be sourced from modern mines which do not provide deep colors.
As you can see, identifying genuine bronze greyhounds is a painstaking process that requires patience. When you find what you are looking for, go ahead and buy it.
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