Why Bronze & Refinishing
Why Bronze & Refinishing
Why Bronze
They had bows and arrows and an occasional copper-headed axe. (Although a good, sharp stone axe held a better edge and was a far more effective tool than a copper one.)
Cooking was done over huge fire pits. These were lined with stones to retain heat. And many of these stones happened to be “tin stone” or tin ore.
One day, probably by accident, a lump of copper ore was dropped among these ordinary cooking stones by the fire tender.
The metal which flowed forth was a mixture of copper and tin…the two essential elements of bronze.
This, then, was the humble beginning of the great Bronze Age. And the race was on.
With bronze came an entirely new attitude. Axes now held their edge. Architecture was revolutionized. In fact, the Bronze Age saw the development of the stone “arch,” from which architecture takes its name.
The wheel and potter’s wheel were invented. And Bronze Age man discovered riding was superior to walking and first used horses and cattle as draft animals.
Soon, in the more civilized countries of ancient times, Egypt, Syria, Persia, and China, men were using bronze to create implements and memorials…many which endure today.
As far as art goes, archaeologists have discovered that the greatest artists of even the most antiquated civilizations preferred to immortalize their work in the Immortal Metal…Bronze.
Centuries later, the casting of bronze statues reached an artistic peak in France, Italy, and England. Notable figures of English kings probably prompted Shakespeare’s reference to the everlasting qualities of bronze. Then, in 1858, the great clock face of “Big Ben” at Westminster, England was cast.
Bronze Refinishing
Bronze, a semi-precious metal, made up of 87% Copper, 10% Tin, and trace elements of lead, zinc and other elements that provide a permanent way to customize and memorialize a life lived.
Bronze memorials are still cast individually, based on the design by each family. Once completed, each memorial is finished with a background color and has a protective coating. The entire process once a design is approved takes from 8-12 weeks. There
are about 27 individuals that touch each bronze memorial until its completion.
This coating is guaranteed to last for about 10 years, but depending on weather and the environment could last even longer with proper care and maintenance.
It is said that bronze was chosen not only because of the properties already listed, but that as we lose a loved one and begin our path to healing, so does the bronze memorial begin to heal from the manufacturing process. As time goes, the patina is a sign of healing.
Upgrading/Changing Existing Bronze
We have many special programs available to change or upgrade your memorial. Since this is a cast bronze memorial, you cannot simply add lettering or make changes to it. We have a program that allows you to upgrade from one design to the next or remake and existing memorial to correct a date or name. If you would like more information on this, please click the link below.
