Sculpture Techniques: Bronze Casting
There are two basic methods of casting a bronze. Sand casting is a simple technique that uses moulds made of compact, fine sand. Lost-wax casting is a complex process using…
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Audio: How did sculptors make wax models?
How exactly did sculptors make wax models? V&A curator Peta Motture explains.
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Sculpture techniques: stone carving
For centuries sculptors have used stone for figurative carvings and ornamental architectural work. Different types of stone were used in different regions, with sculptors g…
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Sculpture techniques: wood carving
Regional availability played a large part in determining which wood was chosen for a sculpture, though the properties of individual trees was also a factor. The hardness of…
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Sculpture techniques: ivory carving
Ivory is the dense, hard, creamy white substance that forms the tusks of mammals, though the term is also used for other similar materials. For centuries it has been highly…
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Sculpture techniques: carving in semi-precious stone & shell
Specialist craftsmen used a wide variety of materials for carvings. These ranged from gemstones and hardstones like rock crystal to softer organic materials such as shell, …
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Sculpture techniques: virtuoso carving
Throughout the ages artists and craftsmen have made virtuoso carvings as a display of their skill and ingenuity.
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Sculpture techniques: modelling in clay
Clay is a very versatile raw material. It is relatively cheap and widely available. It can be modelled by the sculptor to form a unique object, or moulded by workshops for …
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Sculpture techniques: surface decoration
The rough surface of European limestone and sandstone sculptures was usually concealed by paint, gilding, or inlaid glass or semi-precious stones.
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A gift in your will
You may not have thought of including a gift to a museum in your will, but the V&A is a charity and legacies form an important source of funding for our work. It is not just the great collectors and the wealthy who leave legacies to the V&A. Legacies of all sizes, large and small, make a real difference to what we can do and your support can help ensure that future generations enjoy the V&A as much as you have.
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Carvings, Casts and Collectors: The Art of Renaissance Sculpture (Hardback)
This volume brings together new research by some of the world's leading experts, exploring the artistic production and cultural context of Renaissance…
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6 WEEK PRACTICAL COURSE: Explore traditional hand embroidery techniques of the Tudor & Stuart period.
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