Bronze Sculpture

A hot or cold patination brings an artisanal touch to the finishing process. We use a unique method that is applied by hand to ensure every piece is a one-of-a-kind treasure. Patinated finishes can range from our iconic verdigris blue, as seen on Hydra or Mantle II, to more earthy hues, see Flo.

Adding a patina exudes an air of instant maturity and timelessness, as if the elements have lovingly etched their mark over time.

Classic bronze figurines are often cast bronze sculptures, a method that uses a lost-wax casting technique to create a mold for molten metal to be poured into. The sculptor Auguste Rodin modelled his famous piece ‘The Thinker’ in clay before creating a plaster cast of the bronze statue for the molten bronze to be poured into. At David Harber, we rarely use a bronze casting technique and instead handcraft our bronze, forming the metal into striking designs with a timeless quality that makes them both classical and contemporary.

As with fine art or home decor, sculpture in your garden should feel unique to you. If made well, a sculptural artwork will last a long time, so you want to make sure the piece can evolve with you and the landscape around it – a key consideration for any David Harber design. Most importantly, buying original works of art should feel joyful. Immerse yourself in the creative process and the craftsmanship of the piece, and as if by magic, you’ll find yourself with a unique design for you and your space.

Bronze will exhibit some natural weathering with age. However, periodic cleaning will help preserve its beauty. We recommend cleaning your bronze sculpture at least once a year, using warm water and a soft cloth to gently remove any detritus. Using any abrasive cleaner will damage the finish and should be avoided.

Yes, including our newest design, Flo, which is limited to 25 pieces. If you’re looking for a unique piece made with the highest quality bronze, we offer a customized service, and our experienced designers are always excited to work with you to bring your ideas to life. Email enquiries@davidharber.com to begin your creative journey with us.

There isn’t a simple answer to this as the cost of a bronze sculpture depends on its size, the finishes chosen and whether there are any additional bespoke engineering or installation requirements. Large, solid bronze reliefs might end up more expensive than a stand-alone design, and pieces with glowing elements of gold-leaf will be more expensive than those without. Limited-edition collections are often more expensive than a piece from a classic collection because each design will be rare and exclusive. Bespoke pieces by design are individual, which means there isn’t a set price for original sculpture. You’ll begin the creative journey of commissioning a piece and many options will be discussed, each with its own price point. If you have a specific price in mind, be up front about this from the start to manage expectations on both sides.

There is value attached to every sculpture, be it sentimental or monetary. Life-casting a firstborn’s hand or foot, a process where a mould of the foot is taken first and then molten bronze is poured into it, will be priceless to new parents but is unlikely to be worth anything to anyone else. Bronze animal sculptures are popular in gardens but there are many designs, often replicated, which keeps them cheap to make and sell. Limited-edition sculptures cast in bronze or unique pieces crafted in a well-regarded foundry are likely to be worth much more as they will retain collectable prestige. It’s these pieces that have an heirloom longevity too, as something rare or collectable will keep their value as they’re passed down generations. Bronze is resistant to natural elements and so has a permanence to it which contributes to its value, but the style, provenance and story of each design will all contribute to its worth overall.