Zinc

The manufacture of large-scale sculpture in zinc was only in fashion for the short period 1840 - 1900. The sculptures were cast in sections and assembled using lead soldered joints, which were additionally pinned onto structural elements such as iron straps or frames, or zinc plates, for extra strength. The majority of this monumental sculpture was intended for exterior display and was generally finished to resemble bronze or stone. To achieve the bronze effect the completed sculptures were frequently electroplated in copper. In Britain, the firm of Elkington’s were instrumental in the development of electroplating technology and often finished zinc sculpture imported from Germany, France or America. Today, zinc sculptures sited outdoors have usually lost their original surface coatings and copper plating through corrosion, exposing the grey coloured zinc. The corrosion causes a very pitted surface in the zinc, accompanied by failure of the lead solder joints which compromises the object's structural stability and leaves it vulnerable to serious fracture and ongoing corrosion. We have carried out much research in this field and developed techniques to repair structural damage and restore the corroded surface to replicate the original 'bronzed' appearance.