Any Help For This French Bronze Bust?

[diggummup]

It's named "Young Raphael" by Duchoiselle.
The patina is just plain shot out.
I don't know what happened to it.
I've seen others like this that are gilded. I'm guessing this was too originally and most of the gilding is gone from someone continually polishing it over the years? That's all I can think off. Any help for this thing as far as making it look a little better?




here's one from...
https://www.mutualart.com/Artwork/Young-Raphael--mis-labeled-on-the-namepl/33E5510E8BFB2357

 

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[Tpmetal]

don't touch it (well I wouldn't if it was me). the patina on that bronze is beautiful. I would simple use some renaissance wax and preserve as is, gently brush/ vaccume any dust or powdery oxidation before applying wax. The wax can be buffed to get the shine. What you are seeing is oxidation(patina basically). The statue was not ever polished or waxed rather than over polished as you are thinking.

 

[Tpmetal]

the other one you show from online looks more like polished bronze than gold gilded

 

[huntsman53]

If you want a deep patina on the statue, then you could try sitting in a window that gets lots of sun light and turn the statue a quarter turn every 3 to 5 days to try to even up the toning or sit it outside in the elements (rain, wind and sun light) and it will definitely tone up but may develop some verdigris which you will need to stop (arrest) with Acetone. Don't worry about using Acetone on the metal as it will not affect the patina or damage the metal. Any wood or plastic in the stand may need to be covered both when out in the elements and when treating with Acetone.

 

[OldSowBreath]

Yours that is patenated looks better than the guilded one. I would leave it alone except for dusting and restoration wax per tpmetal.

 

[WoodnHead]

Yours that is patenated looks better than the guilded one. I would leave it alone except for dusting and restoration wax per tpmetal.

This. I love aged/patina more than shiny.

 

[diggummup]

This all sounds good. I'm glad to hear you all like it the way it is. I'll take everything into consideration starting with the Restoration wax. Maybe that will get rid of the white looking areas? I've never used it before. This thing looks kinda horrible compared to other bronzes I've owned and sold. I guess I like the darker tones versus the brassy looking ones. At any rate it was a steal of a deal after researching some of the sold prices.





I have another bronze that I cannot find another example of anywhere except the original here- https://musees-occitanie.fr/musees/...s/jean-jules-pendaries/l-enfant-a-l-anguille/ ,Museum of Fine Art of Gaillac in France. It's pretty tall and weighs like 28 pounds. The original is titled "L'enfant à l'anguille" by Jean Jules Pendariès. This one below is not mine. Mine has a golden color to it. I'll get a pic up in a bit.

EDIT- Here is mine. The tag translates to "The child with eel a tribute to my friend Jean Jules Pendariès" or something to that effect. Notice the eel is at a different position in the hand. However, it is not signed anywhere. that I can find.

 

[niffler]

Liver of sulphur is what we used in College art class to put a dark brown patina on bronze. It can be so dark as to appear black even. If you want a green patina you mix urine and sawdust and bury your bronze in it for about a month. Probably ask a pro first though!

 

[Tpmetal]

Liver of sulphur is what we used in College art class to put a dark brown patina on bronze. It can be so dark as to appear black even. If you want a green patina you mix urine and sawdust and bury your bronze in it for about a month. Probably ask a pro first though!

yeah lots of options for nice patina, and funny enough I have repeatedly peed on a few sculptures before....

 

[Tpmetal]

I would gently brush that white stuff (very soft toothbrush) before waxing, I bet some of it comes off easily. Waxing will bring out more of the darker colors as well, just like a wet rock verses a dry.

 

[GopherDaGold]

Possible bronze disease?

 

[diggummup]

I'll update this with new pics after I use the restoration wax. It's in the mail.