Home      • Our Collection  Bronze Collection Entire Collection How to Purchase? Maintenance Bronze Cold Cast Collection • The Lost Wax Process The Process Photographs • About Chola Bronzes Chola Symbolism Body Poses Attributes • About Hindu Deities Shiva Parvati Krishna Lakshmi Ganesha Kartikeya Hanuman Narasimha • Contact Us About Us Testimonials How to Purchase ? Shipping Information Maintenance Bronze Museum Links

Maintaining Your Kaalita Bronze

Our bronze sculptures age beautifully,however a little regular care and attention goes a long way to keep your piece looking its best. Indoors;for light cleaning use only a newn or freshly laundered dry cloth or brush.Chemicals and residue from used cloths or brushes may transfer to the patina causing discolouration. Outdoors; due to the increased level of airborne contaminants,bronzes outside require more vigorous regular cleaning and polishing.This is simply done wilth a soft brush, mild soap and a through rinsing. To wax or not to wax is a matter of personal preference.Depending upon the proportions of copper,tin or lead in the alloy, the natural patina of your piece will take on any number of colourations, all the way from black to red to light green.This is known as Edel Patina and is simply natural oxidation - the outermost layer of bronze reacting to oxygen. A thin wax layer protects your bronze however you may prefer allow your bronze to age naturally. If you prefer to halt or slow the ageing process, we recommend maintaining a coat of wax to shield your piece from the air's oxidizing effects. In a dry climate, waxing once a year is sufficient; twice a year in areas of high humidity. Outdoors apply two coats, ideally in the heat of the day when the wax is able to more readily be absorbed into the pores of the metal. We recommend premium clear paste wax. Do NOT use cleaning sprays or furniture polishes containing solvents or other chemicals. They may react to your bronze, discoluring the patina. Older bronzes having their own natural dark patina, or new pieces with a faux antique patina, should NOT be waxed or polished, as this can alter the look and character of the piece. Bronze Disease Edel Patina, a green copper carbonate, protects the bronze naturally, and this layer of oxidation should not be confused with Bronze Disease. Edel Patina normally covers the entire sculpture more or less uniformly and appears as a duller shade of green than Bronze Disease- a condition in which metal produces acid(normally hydrochloric or hydrosulfuric acid)internally and begins to disintegrate, while a small fuzzy green or brown patch beging to grow. This disease is mostly caused by exposure to extremes of heat, humidity, acids or environmental pollution. For Bronze Disease there is no quick solution and many method only halt the spread without curing it. The various treatments such as; baking in high temperatures, soaking in distilled water with certain chemicals, and application of chemicals are treatments, but all these methods would change the patina and look of the bronze and may also physically damage the sculpture. Therefore Kaalita strongly recommends leaving the treatment of Bronze Disease to a professional. Home   •  Our Collection   •  The Lost Wax Process   •   About Chola Bronzes   •  About Hindu Deities   •   Contact Us •  Site Map © www.kaalita.com, India