Metal art – Bronze objects and statues in home decor

In the historical remains of ancient civilizations such as Mesopotamia, the relevance of bronze in art is noticeable, as well as the importance of sculpture as an artistic manifestation that embraces the intention of inserting meaning and beauty in environments. Public spaces, tombs, temples and other buildings were re-signified with bronze statues that expressed the history of a certain era in every stroke and style.

Bronze art brought new vigor to deific , imperial and highly prestigious representations in history, whose metallic alloy resistance was one of the great attributes for the creation of these three-dimensional arts that required precision and technical skill to forge it. The patina finish it imparts to sculptures and busts, with deliberate aging of the metal, maintains its essential characteristics despite changes over time.

bronze art history

Different metallic alloys are melted to give rise to bronze, the combination of copper (from 88 to 90%) and tin (from 12 to 10%) being the most common and perfected in the history of metallurgical technology. The combination of these high quality metals was initially carried out by the Mesopotamian civilization, 3000 BC, when they realized that the alloy of metals would result in a material that was easier to shape and harder after forging.

The value of bronze increased as it encompassed works of art , incorporating the decorative character to what hitherto served the constitution of tools, weapons and everyday utensils. The same occurred in other ancient civilizations such as the Egyptian, Persian, Greek and Roman who masterfully took advantage of the magnitude of bronze in figurative art .

The fact that bronze does not break as marble and clay did, especially in human figurative sculptures with outstretched arms, placed it in a prominent position in Renaissance plastic arts. And after a period of decline, it returned to the forefront during the Industrial Revolution, in a different scenario due to the improvement of tools and techniques.

Bronze casting aesthetics and techniques

The main bronze casting techniques are wax and sand. The first has been carried out since the archaic period and has covered almost all ancient cultures. It is one of the simplest and is based on a clay mold surrounding the prototype in wax to shape the molten metal. The mold made from the lost wax casting technique can be classified as direct, if the process is for the production of a single work of art; or indirect, if created for reproduction.

The sand casting method of bronze sculpture , in turn, has been practiced since the 19th century, where the prototype is made in clay or wax and has its separate details to be molded separately and then assembled. Both processes are finished with the patina technique, marked by the application of chemical products to the surface of the heated bronze, giving it a charming aged touch.

These techniques and ancestral finishes gave way to new methods that also allowed the creation of hollow decorative sculptures , lighter and in smaller dimensions, but no less ostentatious, to cover different interiors. The refined aesthetics of bronze statues that we find in home decor today are a consequence of this development.

Bronze sculptures in interior decoration

The vintage feeling transmitted by the peculiar coloring of the bronze arts brings a sophisticated accent to the decoration of the environment. It raises the bar for spaces and enriches them as it highlights the aged golden glow of the sculptures . This non-uniform tone of bronze, underlined by the more intense color of the carved details, establishes a balanced play of light and shadow in the decorations that maintains visual interest in the pieces and spaces.

For example, decorative objects such as bronze censers from our online store , which anchor an elegant vibe to the Zen practice of purifying the environment. The same occurs with sculptures of Buddhas and Hindu gods forged in bronze that have the divine meaning highlighted in the sumptuous aesthetic, and, with that, add a very significant value in the home decor.

Want a suggestion? Experience the warm feeling offered by the combination of bronze artwork and wooden furniture and enjoy the cohesive atmosphere they create together!

Namaste!

Milene Sousa – Art & Tune