METAL

Beverly Pepper, Vertical Ventaglio

Cleaning and waxing outdoor metal sculptures can protect them from corrosion and weather damage.

Medieval Spanish brass monstrance

Commercial cleaners and polishes should be avoided, as they can be abrasive and corrosive.

Medieval Spanish brass monstrance

Metal polishes should be ciustom-mixed to include only the most gentle materials, and they should be applied rarely and sparingly.

15th century Spanish Paten

The center button on this paten is made of niello, a black alloy that is typically etched with pictures made of fine metals. The niello was so tarnished that the picture was completely obscured.

15th century Spanish paten (detail)

A careful cleaning and polishing of the niello center medallion revealed a detailed picture.

Han Dynasty white bronze mirror

This 2,000 year old metal alloy was quite brittle, and had broken cleanly into two halves.

Han Dynasty white bronze mir

Small, broken indoor metal sculptures are rarely welded or soldered. Instead, well-chosen adhesives can usually yield better cosmetic results while keeping repairs reversible.

James Pradier, bronze Sappho (1850)

James Pradier, bronze Sappho (1850)

Before treatment: a crack was opening at the neck.

James Pradier, bronze Sappho (1850)

After treatment: the crack was tightened, the surface filled slightly, and the patina touched up over the repair.

Barry Flanagan, Hare With Drum

This sculpture had been outdoors without weather-proofing maintenance for several years.

Barry Flanagan, Hare With Drum

Much of the patina needed repair.

Barry Flanagan, Hare With Drum

The repaired patina was coated with a weather-proof bronze sealer, then waxed.

Barry Flanagan, Hare With Drum

Barry Flanagan Hare With Drum

Ears before treatment

Barry Flanagan, Hare With Drum

Ears after treatment

Barry Flanagan, Hare With Drum

Chest before treatment

Barry Flanagan, Hare With Drum

Chest after treatment

shade side by side

Lampshade before treatment

Before repair and creation of new pieces

Lampshade after treatment

In order to achieve excellent cosmetic results and ensure that the restoration is reversible, the missing pieces were cast with resin rather than metal.

, Swan

Tarnished plated white metal

, Swan

After polishing and waxing

Indoor Fountain

Years of running hard water had rusted and left major deposits on the stainless steel surfaces of this fountain.

Indoor fountain

Detail, before and after treatment

Indoor fountain

Detail, before and after treatment

Indoor Fountain

After treatment

Pre Columbian Sun God medallion

The tarnished surface of this hammered gold alloy was cleaned, polished, and waxed.

Asa Munger Clock support

The original 18th century paint on this "stovepipe" clock was delaminating from the underlying tin.

Asa Munger Clock support

The original paint was re-adhereed to the tin, completely sealed and consolidated, and sparingly touched in with new pigment.