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Sculpture Materials

Popular Materials for Making Sculpture

Popular Sculpture Materials – What You Should Know About Marble, Bronze and Pewter

If you are new to sculpture collecting, you may wonder which materials are best for your collection.

Each material has its own benefits and drawbacks, and no single material is best for each sculpture or collection.

Here is an overview of three of the most popular sculpture materials to help you decide which is best for you.

Marble

Marble is perhaps the material that is most closely associated with traditional sculpture in the public consciousness. Marble has been used to create sculptures since the earliest cave painting days, although new techniques were developed and refined over the centuries.

Marble is a metamorphic rock that is created when limestone is compressed and heated.

When first quarried it is reasonably soft and pliable. As it ages, marble becomes quite hard and extremely durable.

It possesses a natural translucence that mimics that found in human skin. Consequently, it is often the material of choice for sculptors who wish to create lifelike figures.

A disadvantage of marble sculptures is their susceptibility to staining.

Marble is not the best choice for sculptures that will be handled, as it tends to develop yellow or brown stains from skin oils.

If you plan to keep a marble sculpture outside, be aware that it may stain from exposure to dirt, plant oils and moisture. However, many collectors enjoy the natural discolorations that develop on marble outdoor statues.

Bronze

Bronze sculptures have been created since ancient times. The usual composition of bronze used in sculpture is 90% copper to 10% tin, although ancient compositions varied slightly.

Bronze has long been prized for use in weapons and other practical applications, and many older bronze sculptures were melted down for reuse of the metal.

Consequently, ancient bronze sculptures can be difficult to find.

Bronze sculptures are created through casting techniques such as lost wax, spin casting and sand casting.

A particular advantage of bronze over other alloys is its tendency to slightly expand before setting. This ensures that the bronze completely fills every slight detail of the mold, creating a highly detailed finished piece.

Bronze sculptures are reasonably durable and can be kept outside if properly waxed once or twice a year. However, they can be corroded by ice, salt and sand, so it best to wrap them carefully during the winter.

Pewter

Pewter has also been used in the creation of sculptures and figurines throughout recorded history. Pewter is a metal alloy that contains 85% - 99% tin.

The remainder of the alloy is made up of copper and antimony, which harden the soft tin.

Cheaper pewter often contained lead. If you are considering an older pewter sculpture, keep this possibility in mind.

Pewter sculptures have generally been considered of lesser quality than bronze due to their less expensive composition. However, pewter is a popular modern material, particularly for mass produced small figurines and reproduction pieces.

The materials that you select for your sculpture collection will ultimately be determined by your budget and personal tastes.

Each sculpture represents its creator’s belief about the best material to capture his or her vision. Ultimately, you should select the pieces that you truly love, regardless of the materials used to create them.

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