The inlays, the technical details and the motives of the decorative figures represented on the magnificent pieces studied for this research indicate a Romano-Egyptian provenance. Not many chemicals can, so make sure the ones you choose specifically have this capability.Recent analyses carried out on objects with polychrome decoration found in various regions of the Roman Empire and dated to the 1st century CE, identified an array of patinated alloys similar to the classical Japanese irogane alloys. Chose a patination mix that is designed to withstand outdoor environments. This will give finished pieces a traditional tone while helping blunt the impact of further, natural oxidation. Instead, use a paste wax similar to that applied to floors to protect your patina, then buff. Most patinators dislike lacquers, which can chip and peel over time. This makes subtle details far more apparent, and adds to the drama and depth of a piece. Often the best patina effects occur when coatings are removed from high spots and allowed to remain on low-lying areas. This will freeze patination exactly where you want. It’s crucial to rinse an item off in distilled water once it has reached the desired shade. After each immersion, an item should be checked to see if its color is approaching the preferred depth more immersions will create darker shades. Some patinators say it’s also a good idea to warm the items first, since metals seem to absorb chemicals better when heated.
BRONZE PATINA URINE SERIES
For Interiors:Ī series of short immersions in your patina solution will work better than long dunks. I’ve broken those steps down for both interior and exterior applications below. Also, many of the delicate colors that can be achieved simply couldn’t survive in an outdoor environment.Īnyone familiar with basic restoration techniques can probably tackle patination, if he or she follows a few basic steps. Though similar rules hold true for both applications, interior patination is more complex and subtle than that for exteriors, since the pieces frequently have intricate designs.
Whether a feature is being restored or repaired, there are two distinct worlds of patination-interior and exterior. But most patina experts agree that nothing beats the natural colors created by the oxidation of common metals. And that’s good news for restorers, because there’s been a lot of metal polishing done in the years since the height of the period, not to mention the fact that new metal, whether it’s a switch plate or the copper sheen of a recently installed roof, could use a little “age.”Ī variety of solutions were and still are used to create patinas-everything from urine and wood shavings to sophisticated and incredibly toxic lead-based compounds. Much of the expertise and techniques of the Arts & Crafts era survive. In some cases, notes Manhattan-based jeweler, artist, and restorer Audrey Werner, they created designs with intricate details that were only visible when patinas were first applied and then removed in the high spots. The irony is that in the case of Victorian residences, the original owners would be horrified to see that their once shiny doorknobs, sconces, and window fittings are now a dull brown, and they’d immediately call for a maid armed with wax and brick dust, two of the period’s popular polishing tools.īut Arts & Crafts-era designers didn’t want gleaming hardware they wanted more natural, earthy tones. We expect to see patinas adorning historic homes simply because we’re dealing with old buildings on which the colors have naturally changed with age. That helping hand is the art of patination. And there’s a reality I’ve found as my wife and I move forward with the restoration of our home: Sometimes nature needs a hand to speed things up. There’s a word for the singular gift time bestows on so many materials: patina. Most patina experts agree that nothing beats the natural colors created by the oxidation of common metals.
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