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METAL
![]() Beverly Pepper, Vertical VentaglioCleaning and waxing outdoor metal sculptures can protect them from corrosion and weather damage. | ![]() | ![]() Medieval Spanish brass monstranceCommercial cleaners and polishes should be avoided, as they can be abrasive and corrosive. |
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![]() Medieval Spanish brass monstranceMetal polishes should be ciustom-mixed to include only the most gentle materials, and they should be applied rarely and sparingly. | ![]() 15th century Spanish PatenThe 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 mirrorThis 2,000 year old metal alloy was quite brittle, and had broken cleanly into two halves. | ![]() Han Dynasty white bronze mirSmall, 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 DrumThis sculpture had been outdoors without weather-proofing maintenance for several years. | ![]() Barry Flanagan, Hare With DrumMuch of the patina needed repair. | ![]() Barry Flanagan, Hare With DrumThe repaired patina was coated with a weather-proof bronze sealer, then waxed. |
![]() Barry Flanagan, Hare With Drum | ![]() Barry Flanagan Hare With DrumEars before treatment | ![]() Barry Flanagan, Hare With DrumEars after treatment |
![]() Barry Flanagan, Hare With DrumChest before treatment | ![]() Barry Flanagan, Hare With DrumChest after treatment | ![]() shade side by side |
![]() Lampshade before treatmentBefore repair and creation of new pieces | ![]() Lampshade after treatmentIn order to achieve excellent cosmetic results and ensure that the restoration is reversible, the missing pieces were cast with resin rather than metal. | ![]() , SwanTarnished plated white metal |
![]() , SwanAfter polishing and waxing | ![]() Indoor FountainYears of running hard water had rusted and left major deposits on the stainless steel surfaces of this fountain. | ![]() Indoor fountainDetail, before and after treatment |
![]() Indoor fountainDetail, before and after treatment | ![]() Indoor FountainAfter treatment | ![]() Pre Columbian Sun God medallionThe tarnished surface of this hammered gold alloy was cleaned, polished, and waxed. |
![]() Asa Munger Clock supportThe original 18th century paint on this "stovepipe" clock was delaminating from the underlying tin. | ![]() Asa Munger Clock supportThe original paint was re-adhereed to the tin, completely sealed and consolidated, and sparingly touched in with new pigment. |
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