Tag Archives: Spelter

Restoration of Spelter figures: Part 3, Final

Posted on November 21, 2021 | Leave a comment

The restoration of two mid 19th century Spelter figures: The Reaper (‘Left Handed Luke’) and The Sower (‘Nearly Headless Nick‘) is now complete, and the figures have been returned to their home in Kent, whole again.

  • ‘The Reaper:’ Casting and fitting the arm using Nick’s own epoxy resin spelter match mix.
  • ‘The Reaper:’ Casting and fitting the arm using Nick’s own epoxy resin spelter match mix.
  • ‘The Reaper:’ Casting and fitting the arm using Nick’s own epoxy resin spelter match mix.
  • ‘The Reaper:’ Casting and fitting the arm using Nick’s own epoxy resin spelter match mix.
  • ‘The Reaper:’ Casting and fitting the arm using Nick’s own epoxy resin spelter match mix.
  • ‘The Reaper:’ Casting and fitting the arm using Nick’s own epoxy resin spelter match mix.
  • ‘The Reaper:’ Casting and fitting the arm using Nick’s own epoxy resin spelter match mix.
  • ‘The Reaper:’ Casting and fitting the arm using Nick’s own epoxy resin spelter match mix.
  • ‘The Reaper:’ Casting and fitting the arm using Nick’s own epoxy resin spelter match mix.
  • ‘The Reaper:’ Casting and fitting the arm using Nick’s own epoxy resin spelter match mix.
  • ‘The Sower:’ Hat, wire mesh and Nick’s own epoxy putty spelter match mix.
  • ‘The Sower:’ Hat, wire mesh and Nick’s own epoxy putty spelter match mix.
  • ‘The Sower:’ Hat, wire mesh and Nick’s own epoxy putty spelter match mix.
  • ‘The Sower:’ Hat, wire mesh and Nick’s own epoxy putty spelter match mix.
  • ‘The Sower:’ Hat, wire mesh and Nick’s own epoxy putty spelter match mix.
  • Both figures waxed and the oak bases oiled: Restoration complete!
  • Both figures waxed and the oak bases oiled: Restoration complete!
  • Both figures waxed and the oak bases oiled: Restoration complete!
  • Both figures waxed and the oak bases oiled: Restoration complete!

The two figures are now fully restored, complete, and ready to return home!

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Restoration of Spelter figures, with Ewan Stell: Part 2

Posted on September 14, 2021 | Leave a comment

The restoration of two mid 19th century Spelter figures: The Reaper (‘Left Handed Luke’) and The Sower (‘Nearly Headless Nick‘) continues, with Studio Assistant Ewan Stell.

The slideshow below details the process so far, with captions for each image explaining the stages of the restoration.

  • The base of The Reaper (‘Nearly Headless Nick’) is drilled to receive the reinforcing studding.
  • The base of The Reaper (‘Nearly Headless Nick’) is drilled to receive the reinforcing studding.
  • Pre-shaped studding is bolted in.
  • The fit is checked.
  • Prepared for JP Weld Adhesive.
  • Bonded and supported, while curing.
  • After sealing inside the legs with packed cling film, the ankles and calves are filled with epoxy resin.
  • Broken sections of neck reassembled with JP Weld Adhesive.
  • Collar of mesh moulded into the neck cavity.
  • Collar of mesh moulded into the neck cavity.
  • Epoxy putty applied to mesh.
  • Head pressed home onto epoxy putty, which is modelled into neck forms.
  • Head pressed home onto epoxy putty, which is modelled into neck forms.
  • Clamped in place for curing.
  • Clamped in place for curing.
  • Remodelling the arm for ‘Left Handed Luke’ on an aluminium wire armature.
  • Milliput modelling putty applied to the wire armature.
  • The anatomy built up.
  • The correct gesture, arrived at by studying the figure’s drapery and forms.
  • The arm of ‘Left Handed Luke’ is now ready for moulding and casting.
  • The Reaper (‘Left Handed Luke’) and The Sower (‘Nearly Headless Nick’) side by side, ready for the next stage of the restoration; remodelling and repairing cracks and damaged areas.
  • The Reaper (‘Left Handed Luke’) and The Sower (‘Nearly Headless Nick’) side by side, ready for the next stage of the restoration; remodelling and repairing cracks and damaged areas.
  • The Reaper (‘Left Handed Luke’) and The Sower (‘Nearly Headless Nick’) side by side, ready for the next stage of the restoration; remodelling and repairing cracks and damaged areas.

Stay tuned to see the next stage of the restoration process…

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Oracle Maquettes in Gold + Cleaning of Spelter Figures

Posted on August 10, 2021 | Leave a comment

Florence Bigglestone (@floss_art) gilds two maquettes of ‘The Oracle’ with gold finishing: This was inspired by Florence’s recent use of gold foil with ‘Maximus.’

Meanwhile, Nick’s daughter Lucy has been cleaning up the two 19th century Spelter figures – ‘Left Handed Luke’ and ‘Nearly Headless Nick’ – before restoration work on the pair continues.

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Posted in Abstract Sculptures, Events, Figurative sculptures, Oracle, Working Process

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Restoration of Spelter figures, with Ewan Stell: Part 1

Posted on July 19, 2021 | Leave a comment

Nick is restoring two mid 19th century Spelter figures for his family, together with his Studio Assistant, Ewan Stell. Given the nature of the damage, we’ve named the two figures ‘Left Handed Luke’ and ‘Nearly Headless Nick.’

To restore these figures, Nick will carry out museum quality repairs, otherwise known as reversible repair. This involves the use of rust proof studding, epoxy resin, putty and adhesives. Not only is there no risk of destroying the original piece, but it is possible to differentiate between the restored sections and the original by X-ray. This method is preferable to welding – which risks destroying large areas of the original piece, and is irreversible (museums generally frown on welding as a method of restoration).

In these photographs, the two figures can be seen in Nick’s studio. Ewan is cleaning the figures before the restoration work begins.

Stay tuned to see the next stage of the restoration process…

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