The Properties That Make Hot Cast Bronze Valuable

Art is seemingly priceless, but that doesn’t mean all art is created equal. Genius can present itself in a multitude of ways, but there are still some techniques and materials that are more valuable than others. Read on to learn about the properties that make hot cast bronze valuable.

The History

The technique of sculpting with hot cast bronze has a history going back thousands of years, and art historians have found it in different cultures worldwide. For example, you can see bronze vessels in Ancient China or the West African Kingdom of Benin. Bronze does not occur naturally; people have been creating it by combining copper and tin since 3000 BC. This technique also creates lasting pieces, as art historians have recovered bronze pieces from around 450 BC in almost perfect condition.

The Process

The process of sculpting begins by constructing a mold from rubber. From that point, the artist will pour molten wax to create a wax copy of their sculpture. They’ll cover the wax in a layer of ceramic. Then add more layers and harden it in a kiln. At this point, the wax melts, creating a ceramic mold for the artist to add molten bronze. Then they can break the ceramic shell and reveal their bronze sculpture.

At this point, the artist will sandblast and polish the piece to give the statue the luster they desire and then add a patina finish to give some color and shading to the work. It is a long and laborious process, which is why these pieces are still valuable today.

The Quality

As mentioned previously, pieces from over a thousand years ago remain in the same condition as when the artists produced them. Alternatively, you must protect cold-cast bronze pieces because the artists only made them to last throughout our lifetime. They are cheaper than hot cast bronze, and this price is reflected in the quality, as you need to treat it incredibly delicate for it to stay in good condition.

Hot cast bronze is valuable for many reasons, and unfortunately, fewer artists are practicing the techniques with their sculptures today. Thankfully, the artists who continue the method are working harder than ever on their pieces. Here at Jesse Nusbaum Art, we specialize in hot cast bronze and produce works like this bronze rhino sculpture that would look fantastic in any setting.