services
We support projects from initial model and mould making through casting, finishing, restoration and installation.
Overview
Mould Making
A well-made mould is the foundation of a successful cast. At Arch Bronze, moulds are made with close attention to the character and surface of the original work, capturing both fine detail and the broader qualities of the sculpture.
We work with a range of traditional and contemporary mould-making techniques, selecting the most appropriate process for each piece. These include silicone rubber, plaster piece moulds, waste moulds and alginate for life casting.
Moulds can be made at the foundry or, where necessary, on location. Particular care is taken when working with delicate, fragile or irreplaceable originals, and the process is always approached with the final casting and finish in mind.
casting
Arch Bronze offers a broad range of casting services for sculpture, from traditional lost-wax bronze casting to cold-cast materials and specialist one-off projects.
We work extensively with lost-wax casting using plaster investment, allowing us to produce detailed and complex bronze work at a wide range of scales. We also cast in other non-ferrous metals where appropriate, including aluminium, lead and pewter.
Alongside metal casting, we offer cold casting in materials such as plaster, resin and cement, as well as composite and bronze-resin finishes where required.
Each project is assessed individually so that the casting method, material and finish are suited to the work and to the artist’s intended result.
-
![Molten metal being poured from a large container during a foundry process.]()
bronze
-
![A lead sculpture of an arm and hand, standing among smashed plaster in a foundry with tools, bricks, and equipment in the background.]()
lead
-
![Molten aluminium being poured into a mould at Arch Bronze.]()
aluminium
-
![Plaster sculpted bust in the Arch Bronze workshop.]()
plaster
-
![Cement being applied by hand into a mould at Arch Bronze.]()
cement
model making & enlargement
Arch Bronze offers model making, enlargement and digital production services to support projects from early development through to full-scale fabrication and casting.
We can produce and develop models from drawings, photographs, maquettes or existing sculpture, working closely with the artist to retain the character and proportions of the original work.
For enlargement and reproduction, we use both traditional sculptural methods and contemporary digital techniques, including 3D scanning and 3D printing. These technologies allow existing forms to be captured, resized, reproduced or developed with a high degree of accuracy, while still leaving room for the artist’s hand and judgement throughout the process.
The approach is tailored to each project, whether creating a new model, enlarging a maquette, reproducing an existing work or preparing components for casting and fabrication.
fabrication
Arch Bronze undertakes fabrication for sculptural and architectural projects, working across a range of metals, scales and levels of complexity.
Our fabrication work can include the construction of armatures, internal structures, frames, supports and individual components, as well as the assembly and joining of larger works. We also carry out welding, fitting and metal preparation as part of the wider production process.
For large or technically complex sculpture, fabrication is often developed alongside casting and finishing so that structure, weight, balance and installation requirements are considered from the outset.
As with all of our work, each project is approached individually, with the fabrication method adapted to suit the artist’s design, the material and the demands of the finished piece.
patina & finishing
The final surface can completely change the character of a sculpture. At Arch Bronze, patination is approached as an integral part of the work rather than simply a final coating.
We develop a wide range of finishes, from subtle natural tones to more complex and distinctive patinas, working closely with artists to achieve the right colour, depth and surface quality for each piece. Traditional techniques are combined with experimentation, allowing finishes to be refined, matched across editions or adapted to suit a particular setting.
Alongside patination, we undertake chasing, fettling, polishing and hand finishing, resolving each surface with care before the work leaves the foundry.
restoration
Arch Bronze undertakes the restoration and repair of sculpture in bronze and other materials, from minor surface damage to more extensive structural work.
Our restoration services can include cleaning, surface repair, recolouring, structural repairs, replacement of damaged or missing elements, and the recasting or remodelling of components where appropriate.
Each work is assessed individually, with the aim of preserving its character while carrying out the minimum intervention necessary. Particular care is taken to match existing surfaces, finishes and patinas so that repairs sit naturally within the original piece.
