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Bronze Dog Sculpture: Sitting Labrador II by Sue Maclaurin

Bronze Dog Sculpture: Sitting Labrador II by Sue Maclaurin

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Including VAT: $481.52 Excluding VAT: $401.26

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Size in cm: 11w x 12h x 7.5d cm
Size in inches: 4"w x 4½"h x 3"d
Weight: 900g / 2lb

Edition: 250
Material: Foundry Cast Bronze

This gorgeous Sitting Labrador II perfectly captures the happy character and gentle nature of one of Britain’s favourite dogs in solid foundry bronze.

Following the sell out success of Sue Maclaurin’s first Sitting Labrador, we are delighted to introduce this new, female, Sitting Labrador II, which perfectly complements her Standing Labrador sculpture.

This piece is hand cast in our midlands foundry using the ancient art of lost wax casting bronze.

We take two weeks to create a single casting and every step is carried out by hand. Please note, this is NOT made of bronze resin/cold cast bronze!

Each casting of Sitting Labrador II is individually numbered as one of a limited edition of 250 castings and bears the artist’s signature and our Nelson & Forbes’ ‘NF’ maker’s mark.

Sitting Labrador II arrives presented in a handmade grey Nelson & Forbes’s handmade gift box, accompanied by an artist signed and numbered certificate of authenticity, making a wonderful gift for any lover of Labradors.

Born in Colchester, Sue Maclaurin emigrated to Northern Rhodesia with her family, where a life-long passion for wildlife and horses began.

Her childhood was spent, when not at boarding school, roaming freely in the bush on horseback, revelling in the diversity of wildlife which still existed at that time.

Returning to England to study at Winchester School of Art, Sue graduated with a B.A (Hons.) in Fine Art and subsequently spent several years involved with Marwell Zoological Park, where she continued to study, paint and sculpt their wide variety of animals at very close quarters. While she was there, Sue was commissioned to create the art work and logo for Marwell Park’s advertising.

During these few years, Sue further explored and develop her interest in sculpting at Pinewood Studios as she was asked by Ray Harryhausen to assist him model making on various films including Clash of the Titans.

An opportunity then arose for Sue to return to Africa with her family, and the following four years were filled happily with the pursuit of varied projects including gold-mining frontier style, fish farming and dairy farming, while Sue continued to sculpt and paint for her own pleasure.

Whilst Africa and its wildlife were ‘utterly beautiful’, it unfortunately became too politically unstable, so Sue’s family once again returned home to England. Her wildlife sculpture was quickly accepted by galleries across the United Kingdom and quickly developed a loyal following of collectors.

A white house in the Wiltshire countryside is now home, with two Siamese cats, two horses, a thriving sculpture studio and a saddlery business that means Sue’s skills as a Master Saddle Maker command a constant waiting list. Sue continues to sculpt both the wildlife that surrounds her home daily as well as other traditional animals such as pigs and thoroughly enjoys hearing stories of the joy that the bronze castings of her pieces bring to collectors.

Creation of your bronze sculpture

Every time we cast a piece, a new mould is created and subsequently destroyed. This means that every single piece of sculpture bought from us is entirely hand made and utterly unique, which is why it is numbered by hand to tell you which casting of the edition you have bought.

1. Mould Making

A silicone rubber mould is made of the original art work. Absolutely every detail captured or missed by this mould will be reproduced in the bronze castings. Depending on the size of the mould, it may then be cut into sections for casting.

This is the master mould used to originate all castings of that piece. Each time that piece is ordered, we follow the following procedure:

2. Making the Wax Casting

Molten wax is poured into the rubber to create an exact wax duplicate of the original model.

3. Chasing the Wax

The wax is removed from the rubber mould any flaws are hand finished by a skilled craftsman.

4. Spruing

Wax rods and a wax pouring cup are carefully attached to the wax casting in just the right positions to allow bronze to be poured in any displaced air to escape. This means that no air bubbles are trapped inside the mould as they would be gaps in the finished bronze piece.

5. Investment

The wax model with attached rods is now covered in ceramic material which will form the mould for the final bronze pour. This is done by dipping the wax model carefully into investment liquid and then covering it in a fine powder before allowing it to cure (completely dry). The model is then dipped into investment liquid again and given a coating of a coarse ceramic powder. By following this procedure several times, a ceramic shell is built up around the wax model.

6. Burn-Out

The wax inside the ceramic shell is then placed in a kiln and fired. The shell bakes and the wax is melted (lost) from the shell. This creates a hollow ceramic shell mould and accounts for the term "Lost Wax" being applied to the process.

7. Casting

The ceramic mould is removed from the kiln and molten bronze is immediately poured into it, at 1200°C.

8. Break Out

Once the casting has been allowed to cool for several hours, the mould is carefully removed by hand from the bronze model inside.

9. Sandblasting

Any fragments of the ceramic shell are removed by sandblasting and the sculpture is carefully inspected at this point.

10. Assembly

All attached rods and cups (which are now bronze) are removed by hand. At this point, any segments of a large sculpture that has been cast in sections are welded together.

11.Chasing

All the weld marks and removed and rod marks are chased and re-detailed by hand. Any scars left by the rods are carefully blended to match the rest of the sculpture’s surface as intended by the artist.

12. Polishing

The bronze is hand polished in preparation for the patina.

13. Patination

The bronze is first heated before the chemical patina is applied by an artist. A patina can achieve many different colours or effects depending on the mix of chemicals used.

14. Waxing

Finally a wax coating is hand applied before the piece is polished to ensure a beautiful lustrous patina.

15. Numbering

Finally, the piece is numbered by hand. It is numbered as the casting number, followed by a slash and finally the edition size. For examples, 5/250 means that your piece was the fifth piece to be cast from the master mould out of 250 castings made. The piece also bears the signature of the artist. Sue Maclaurin pieces are marked either Sue Maclaurin, Sue Mac, or with her insignia of an S and small cat face.

Shipping is FREE everywhere in the world!

All orders are sent using a tracked, insured, express service.

All in stock items are dispatched the working day after we receive your order. Out of stock items will be dispatched on the date shown on the listing.

UK deliveries – next working day - FREE
UK deliveries are shipped by DPD Local, who will send a one hour window to your mobile or email on the morning of delivery so you don’t have to wait around for your parcel.

We use a next working day service as standard (NI, Highlands and Islands take two working days). If you choose and pay for a Saturday or Sunday delivery when you check out (and order before 6am on a Friday), your order will arrive with you the first Saturday or Sunday after you place your order. If you order after 6am on Friday, your order will arrive one weekend later.

If you are in a rush, or need any special arrangements, please call us on 01442 256290 and we will be delighted to help.

All parcels arrive in plain, unbranded brown cartons to help keep the contents a secret.

Deliveries outside the UK - FREE
Deliveries outside the UK are shipped by TNT, who will email your tracking information to you.

We use an express service that will be delivered on a weekday. Deliveries to Europe, the USA and Canada typically take 2 -3 working days, with other destinations taking 3 – 5 working days.

All parcels arrive in Nelson & Forbes branded shipping packaging when sent overseas.

For full details please see USA Shipping / International Shipping

Reviews

Customer Reviews 7 item(s)

Gift well received

Overall Satisfaction

The sculpture was purchased as a gift. The recipient was very pleased with it. She is a huge Lab fan! Review by William BLAIN / (Posted on 03/11/2021)

Special gift

Overall Satisfaction

The sitting labrador was bought as a gift for a very special friend's 60th birthday. Her much loved chocolate labrador had to leave her home but never left her heart! I felt the sculpture was aesthetically perfect and my friend was delighted with it. Review by AMcK / (Posted on 01/11/2021)

Delightful

Overall Satisfaction

Dear Miss Foster,
The Bronze arrived safely yesterday – Sue Maclaurin’s modelling is delightful and really captures the moment. The lab is destined for my son and daughter-in-law, who have two others, but at least this one will not need walking! Many thanks.
Review by Mr. N.W. / (Posted on 15/01/2021)

Ellie's twin

Overall Satisfaction

Perfect ! Looks just like our Lab, looking for a treat! Delivery was exactly as promised. Will shop here again! Review by Alice (USA) / (Posted on 23/09/2019)

A great success on Richard's birthday

Overall Satisfaction

Hello Deborah,
Thank you so much for the wonderful and easy mailing and delivery (for us anyway!) of the various 'dogs' we have ordered and received.
The 'sitting labrador' was a great success on Richard's birthday, and I believe he has ordered a 'golden retriever' for mine in August. I have just been delivered the 'standing beagle' which will be a 'communal' gift to us both on our anniversary. They are all magnificent! and stand for a life time of our dogs that we have had, 4 beagles, then 2 golden retrievers and now a chocolate labrador. Sue Maclaurin is so talented.
Thank you so very much for your help, and I will be recommending Nelson & Forbes to friends. Review by Mrs. J.T. (Canada) / (Posted on 29/07/2019)

It's an uncanny likeness of her

Overall Satisfaction

I received my parcel today in perfect order. Of course, I had to open it at once, and I was so pleased with the Sitting Labrador II bronze. It is a gift for our son, to mark the passing of our Labrador bitch, Bonnie. It’s an uncanny likeness of her, and she struck that exact pose so often. Now we can be reminded of her in such an elegant way. Thank you so very, very much.
Review by Mrs. L.M. (Canada) / (Posted on 26/02/2019)

Another Victory for Nelson (not forgetting Forbes)!

Overall Satisfaction

Hi Deborah,
Mac the sitting lab arrived at my sister’s precisely on time as per the courier’s email. My sister was simply delighted and said how much the sculpture reminded her of more happy times.
Thank you and your staff so much for making us all the happier!
Review by Mr. J.O. (Australia) / (Posted on 15/03/2018)