Bronze casting - Art foundry
We offer artistic casting and casting in bronze, brass, copper or other non-ferrous metals. We use modern technologies such as 3D printing, special materials and hi-tech machines for subsequent processing and chiselling. We cast bronze statues, sculptures, reliefs, busts and other artistic and other projections. Our art foundry works as part of our hi-tech workshop.
What we offer - Bronze casting
- Creating a 3D model according to any photo or image
- 3D printing and subsequent production of a mold for casting bronze
- Production of molds: silicone, gypsum, hull, etc.
- Casting bronze. statuettes / sculptures / busts / relief based on a 3D printed model
- Casting based on any model - lost wax method (just provide us with a physical model)
The most common types of bronze castings
- Bronze statuettes (up to 50 cm high)
- Bronze busts (from 15 to 40 cm)
- Large bronze busts (from 40 to 120 cm)
- Bronze reliefs (up to 30 cm long)
- Bronze statues (from 120 cm upwards)
We currently specialize in busts up to 40 cm, but we can also make larger sculptures from several parts.
Bronze busts
Bronze statuettes
Art Foundry Prague: Our Method
Our procedure for casting bronze or brass is the so-called " lost wax method ", but unlike most other foundries, we can also make a model according to which the bust / sculpture will be made.
Instead of the classic clay model, we use 3D modeling and 3D printing. Based on the printed model, we make a silicone mold, then a wax model and then we make a shell highly resistant mold and let the wax positive burn in the furnace. We then pour hot metal into the resulting negative form - most often bronze.
Of course, if you already have a model (made of clay or other material) as a client, we will do a silicone mold and other steps based on the model you have supplied . We use 3D printing only if the client does not have a model and does not want to have the model produced separately by a sculptor.
Casting bronze sculptures: Technology
We use modern technologies for casting bronze and other metals, including:
- Baking furnace for molds
- Metal melting furnace (we have several furnaces of our own production)
- 3D printers for the production of models
- Prototyping workshop (preparation of models and molds)
- Metal workshop (grinders, saws and welders for metals)
- Chiselling workshop (machining, grinding and polishing of castings)
- Patination workshop (chemical spraying, polishing, waxing)
Bronze casting: Our work
Masaryk busta
Masaryk bust profile
Masaryk busta
Bronze bust of Masaryk
Bronze bust of Masaryk
Bronze bust - Pilot
Bronze Bust - Pilot for a photographer
Bronze bust -Viking
Production of a bronze bust
Bronze bust -Viking
Production of a bronze bust
Bronz envelope Socrates
Bronze bust - gold brown patina
Bronze bust - Dark patina
Bronze casting - statuettes
Bronze casting - statuettes
Bronz socha black patina
Masaryk 3D model
Bronze statue of Masaryk
Bronz socha antik patina
Neptun 3D model
Bronze statue green patina
Bronze statue green patina
Brass statue
Shell form
Bronze bust pure
Bronze statue detail
Statuette brass without patina
Statuette brass without patina
Brass statuette
Brass statuette with patina
Brass statuette
Statuette brass without patina
Bronze casting - bust
Bronze casting - bust
Pattern for 3D model from the game
Pattern for 3D model from the game
3D printed model
3D printed model
Bronze statuette
Bronze statuette without patina
bust of tin
bust of tin
Bronze statuette
Bronze statuette with antique patina
Smelting furnace
Hot furnace after melting bronze
Hot furnace after melting bronze
Freshly cast mold - bronze
Freshly cast mold - bronze
Bronze casting for smaller statuettes
Bronze casting for smaller statuettes
Foundry Prague
Our foundry has various interesting machines and options at its disposal: 3D printers, kilns, melting furnaces and many other tools.
What our foundry and workshop can offer you
- Creation of 3D models for printing
- 3D printing of statues, statuettes, replicas and decorations
- Creation of negative molds for subsequent casting of metals and other materials (gypsum, epoxy, wax, concrete, etc.)
- Casting / casting of bronze, brass, copper, tin, aluminum
- Chiselling to the desired shape (smooth and structured sculptures)
- Patination (desired color and appearance of the sculpture)
- Statues, statuettes, busts, reliefs, decorations, replicas
Articles on bronze casting
You will find on our blog:
Production of bronze busts for a world-famous Czech photographer
Bronze bust production - Viking Halfdan
Casting a bronze bust - Kratos
Why choose our foundry
- We are a craft workshop and use traditional and modern methods
- We have a comprehensive workshop (3D printing, lasers, wood and metal workshop, CNC, various machines)
- We can make products from design to final sculpture
- We have know-how and experience from various fields
- We offer a good offer in terms of quality and price
Price of bronze casting
The price depends on the complexity of the object, the size and the method used.
We offer better prices!
To give you an idea : We will make a simple full bust based on 3D printing up to 20 cm (approx. 5 kg of bronze) for CZK 20,000, from the design of the 3D model, through printing to the final casting. A bronze bust approx. 30 cm high, hollow (simple solid shape) costs around CZK 30,000.
Frequently asked questions
Why a bronze casting? Why not other material?
Short answer: Because bronze is, in our view, the king of metals. Gold and silver are incomparably more expensive, so it is more realistic to have a bronze statue.
We can make you a cast of plaster, epoxy, concrete or materials resembling stone or marble and it will cost you less money, because it is less demanding production for us.
But if you really want a significant sculpture, a non-traditional statuette, or a memorial bust, then bronze is the right material that underlines the overall significance of the work of art and the event.
Bronze has a kind of magic in it that has fascinated us since ancient times.
In addition, imagine that bronze has been constantly remelting for thousands of years, and it is in your bust that may have the same metal that was once a sword, bell, cannon, or other statue.
How long does it take to produce a bronze statuette, bust, sculpture?
Short answer: 1 - 4 months depending on size and complexity.
It depends on the size and complexity of the object. We are able to cast simple uniform statuettes at once, for complex statuettes where there are several parts, it is necessary to cast the object in several parts and then weld them together.
We are able to produce a small uniform (full) statue up to 20 cm within 1 month, if we have free capacity.
We are able to produce medium-sized busts (hollow) up to 30 cm within 1.5 months.
We are able to make large sculptures (hollow) in human life size within 3-4 months.
Work progress (time)
- We will create a 3D model based on a photo or image (7 days)
- We will print the model on a 3D printer (1-2 days depending on the size)
- We will produce a special shell mold for casting (7 days)
- We will create a 3D printed model from the mold, the so-called negative form will be created (1 day)
- We melt the bronze at a temperature of about 1200 degrees and pour the statue (1 day)
- We clean from the shell, clean the casting and smooth flat surfaces (1-3 days)
- According to the customer's wishes, we patinate on different colors (1 day)
- We will create a silicone mold based on a physical model (7 days)
- We will create a wax model from a silicone mold and adjust it for casting (5 days)
- We will produce a special shell mold for casting (7 days)
- We melt the wax model from the mold, the so-called negative form is created (1 day)
- We melt the bronze at a temperature of about 1200 degrees and pour the statue (1 day)
- We clean from the shell, clean the casting and smooth flat surfaces (1-3 days)
- According to the customer's wishes, we patinate on different colors (1-3 days)
What materials do we need for bronze casting?
Short answer: 3D model or physical model, or photos based on which we make a 3D model.
If we will be casting from the model and you do not have any of your model, then we will only need photos of the object (front, back and side), or pictures of your inspiration (the more detailed, the better the resulting model).
If you have your 3D model, just send it to us (.stl or .obj format). If you have a physical model in the same size as the casting, then we just need to bring it to the workshop.
Once we have the model, just tell us your idea. How big should the casting be, what color (patina), what surface treatment and what final treatment. See. questions below.
How much does a bronze casting cost?
Short answer: It depends on the size, amount of material and complexity. Approx. From 9000 to 200 000 CZK.
In general: The bigger and more complicated the statue, the more expensive.
Specifically:
Small uniform statuettes up to 20 cm: 10,000 - 20,000 CZK without VAT.
Bust up to 30 cm high: approx. CZK 30,000 without VAT.
Sculptures in human life size: 90,000 - 150,000 CZK without VAT.
Why are bronze castings so expensive?
Short answer: This is a very demanding, lengthy and dangerous process for the average layman (molten bronze is around 1100 degrees).
It is an artisanal process. It is therefore necessary to master a lot of related knowledge (sculpture, modeling skills, jewelry knowledge, casting skills, knowledge of materials and chemical processes, craftsmanship, etc.)
In our republic, very few people control this craft, schools are gradually disappearing and the last foundries resemble something like a medieval guild, where know-how is carefully preserved. In short, if you want a bronze casting, be prepared for the fact that it is something special and the price should correspond to that.
It is a very old craft that has not changed much in thousands of years, and most of the work still needs to be done by hand. We do not even make serial production and each product is an absolute original.
Just to give you an idea of what it means to make one simple casting:
- Create a 3D model or a physical model according to a template
- Print a 3D model or model from clay
- Modify the model for subsequent molding
- Production of silicone molds
- Production of supporting solid molds for silicone
- Production of a positive wax hollow model
- Modification of a wax model for casting
- Production of shell mold resistant to high temperatures
- Burning wax from a shell mold
- Burning of the shell mold to maximum strength
- Casting bronze into a mold
- Breaking the mold and subsequent removal of shell residues
- Chiselling (grinding, milling, polishing and cleaning)
- Patination (chemical reaction of bronze to the desired color)
- Waxing of the final casting
How heavy are bronze castings?
Short answer: Záleží na velikosti odlitku a tloušťce stěny (větší odlitky děláme duté, menší plné). U malých odlitků od 2 kg po duté odlitky v životní velikosti, které mohou mít až 200 Kg.
Např. dutá busta kolem 30 cm může mít cca 15 kg.
What bronze casting method do you use and why?
Short answer: We use either the classic method of lost wax or the new method of lost PLA with the help of 3D printing. We use shell molds for casting bronze.
We use the lost PLA method because it's a faster process and works well with the 3D printing technology we use to make the model.
However, if we have to make several similar castings from one silicone mold, then we use the classical method of lost wax. We definitely do not resist wax, as it is a reusable material and we still use it to modify the model for final shaping into a shell.
We use shell molds because the castings are much better quality from the shell, the mold is more durable (can also be transported) and burns better.
The disadvantages of the shell are the higher cost and the longer production process. For larger castings, we would probably consider another method.
We do not use gypsum for casting, because it often cracks during firing and the resulting castings are not as detailed, so there is more work with chiselling.
How big castings are you able to produce?
Short answer: Max. in life size, over time and larger.
At the moment we are able to cast in one piece about 30-40 cm high casting due to the size of our kiln. In the near future, however, we are planning to enlarge the furnace. We want to get to some 60 cm in height.
We are able to weld life-size sculptures from several parts and then grind the welds so that they are not visible at all. After all, most sculptures are made of several pieces and then welded. At first glance, the average layman does not even know it.
However, in this case we recommend rather dark patina, so that the transition of individual parts is not visible.
What surface treatment do you recommend?
Short answer: It always depends on your preference. We offer a classic natural structure created during production, or smoothed without a visible casting structure.
During the process, various structured parts are always formed on the casting.
It depends on what original model was used. If we provide us with a perfectly smoothing physical model (eg made of clay or plaster), we are able to make the same casting.
If we make a bronze casting based on a 3D model-3D printing, then the layers always created during 3D printing are always visible on the model (they are visible when viewed very closely).
We can smooth them on a wax model or by chiselling bronze. Of course, this is not a problem if you want to keep the 3D print look.
In general, the better the surface you want, the longer the chisel will take and the higher the price.
We recommend a compromise so that the visible layers are not visible and at the same time so that the casting has the necessary structure of a handmade craft product.
What color to choose casting and what is patina?
Short answer: We offer various classic colors using the chosen patina. Classic patinas are: Brown, black, gray, green, brown-gold and combinations of these patinas.
Patina is the final color of a casting, which is created due to the chemical reaction of bronze on a given chemical in combination with heating or another process.
We have various chemicals and screeds at our disposal, thanks to which we can give the bronze the desired color.
We can show you our swatches. Alternatively, type "bronze patina" into google and see what the patination options are.
In general, bronze can also be painted, but we recommend doing so so that it is always visible that it is bronze. Otherwise, the bronze itself lacks a bit of meaning and it is unnecessarily expensive to make a bronze casting for which it is not obvious to look at.
How is the statue protected against external influences?
Short answer: Sculptures are usually painted with wax or varnish. The wax may wear out over time. The varnish lasts if it is not mechanically abraded.
Outdoor sculptures usually acquire a new natural patina (green or blue) due to the weather (rain, snow, smog, sun). If you look outside at any older bronze statues, you will see a natural patina. If people often touch the statue, you may notice the golden color of bronze in the statues.
There are not many changes in the interior unless the statue is mechanically manipulated. If you want a constant patina and resistance to touch, then we would recommend varnish in matt or glossy.
Matte or glossy bronze?
Short answer: Depending on your preference, both are possible.
Pure bronze can be polished to a mirror shine, but due to oxidation, the bronze itself gradually darkens.
If the bronze has a patina, then the gloss itself is caused by applying wax and subsequent polishing, or by using a glossy varnish.
It depends on the preference. We recommend applying a patina, adding wax and then letting natural processes create a natural patina. Bronze is a metal that reacts with its surroundings, so each sculpture has a natural evolution that changes over time.
Do you deliver the finished casting to the destination?
Short answer: Za příplatek jsme schopni dovézt menší nebo středně velké odlitky na místo určení v dojezdové vzdálenosti. U větších soch doporučujeme si zajistit dopravu samostatně, případně vám za příplatek dopravu objednáme.
Jakékoliv odlitky si můžete po domluvě vyzvednout u nás na dílně: Pod Kapličkou 3155/20, Praha 3.