Garden Statues History and Making

http://gallery.bizhat.com/data/500/open-garden-days.jpg

Garden Statues

In the broadest definition of the phrase, garden statues are considered as any man-made article that catapults the “look” of the garden, even components like bird houses and bird feeders. In other words, garden statues are figural structures facilitated to decorate the garden. Irrespective of which definition you choose, there are three prominent factors to remember when opting for garden ornaments:

• The statue or ornament will draw the eyes of visitors, so positioning is prominent.

• Don’t facilitate too many ornaments. It is easy to generate messy appearance instead of beauty.

• Use only those garden statues that you actually love! You can use them to trigger the mood of your garden with anything from whimsy to Classical elegance to Zen placidity, but they would always showcase your personal taste.

History of Garden Statues

Garden statuary has been in use for millennia. In early Egypt, temples and temple gardens were decorated with statues of the gods. In Greece, statues were established in pious groves. The Romans followed many of these as a part of garden ornaments. The Venus de’ Medici, for instance, is considered to be a first century BC marble replica of a fourth century BC bronze. This concept was prevalent in western backyards in the renaissance and in the twentieth century also. Abstract art also embellished the garden. Henry Moore’s sculptures at Perry Green are the ideal exemplifications.

Materials

A wide spectrum of material is found today for use in the garden, from conventional stones and polymers to metals. Your selection of material may depend on the solicited use, on the mood you wish to generate, and of course on price factor.

Let’s have a brief look on the types of materials used to cast statues in a garden:

Stone

Stone is the most conventional material for statuary. It is very long-lasting and sustains detail efficiently. Stone carving is original artwork and prices are relatively at the higher end.

Sandstone is made of sand flakes in a matrix of clay or silt, and it accepts the colors of those elements. It is easily made, but the details will vanish more quickly than other stone. York Stone, fabulous sandstone from Yorkshire that displays the color of dark honey, is popular for use as paving stones.

Granite is an extremely strong stone with a crystalline texture found in a varied range of colors. It can be finished with an unpolished texture or a smooth, glass-like device.

Cast Stone

Many people are not sure about the difference between cast stone and real stone prima facie. It is made by crushing and grinding the original stone and then creating it again. Generally the crushed stone is re-bonded in a mold facilitating either resin binder or cement mortar. The finished garden statue will seem to be a carved marble, sandstone, limestone or granite. Cast stone, like original stone, will generate a patina over time.

Concrete

Cast concrete is a well known material for garden statues. It is less durable than stone or cast stone, and it does not display detail. Cast concrete is quite cheaper also. Concrete can be dyed to make identical to variety of stones.

Iron and Steel

Wrought iron is an ideal metal for abstract garden sculpture and a conventional component or decorative fences, gates, and many more. It is hard and long lasting, and can be painted or allowed to rust. Steel and aluminum are also considered for creating garden ornaments.

Copper

Copper is a malleable component fit for several kinds of statuary. It is resistant to rust and generates a great patina. The color of the patina will differ based on the acidity of the water or air when it is exposed. A beautiful greenish color, also termed as verdigris, is most common.

Bronze

Bronze is a blend of tin and copper. It is a conventional material for creating garden statues of the human form. It is rich golden brown when freshly cast and gradually develops a patina with time. It is the most durable material. The oldest Egyptian bronzes date from about 3700 BC.

Lead

Lead is a soft, durable but heavy material. It can be molded with great detail, because of which it has been extensively used in garden statues since Roman eras. It generates a silver-grey to lead-grey patina with the passing time.

Terracotta

Terracotta is mostly used for garden tiles and pots, and often for garden statues, since ancient periods. It is made of clay that has been crafted and fired at a low heat to create that rich and warm color. Terracotta is fragile and is not frost resistant.

Ceramic

Fired and glazed clay was conventionally facilitated for tiles in the garden. Modern artists are now again beginning to utilize it for several types of ornament. The variety and fusion of colors transforms it specifically appealing in the garden.

Glass

Glass shines, glistens, sparkles and reflects. The play of light has popularized the gazing balls very much in the garden, in co-ordination with other glass ornaments. They are vulnerable and must be taken care of.



Keywords:Garden Statues History and Making,Garden statuary,Terracotta