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Bronze Hare Sculpture: Moon Gazing Hare Maquette by Sue Maclaurin

Bronze Hare Sculpture: Moon Gazing Hare Maquette by Sue Maclaurin

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Size in cm: 4w x 7h x 2.5d cm
Size in inches: 1½"w x 2¾"h x 1"d
Weight: 120g / 4oz

Edition: 500
Material: Foundry Cast Bronze

This Sue Maclaurin bronze sculpture of a Moon Gazing Hare Maquette was cast by hand in a British foundry by Nelson & Forbes, as limited edition of just 500 castings. It is part of the Nelson & Forbes ‘Studio Maquette Collection’, which was launched in 2015 following requests by collectors for miniature sculptures that would make ideal gifts.

Sue Maclaurin took inspiration from some of her most successful pieces in the Nelson & Forbes range when choosing her subjects.

Every maquette is presented in a high quality handmade gift box with each piece beautifully wrapped in a velvet pouch and is accompanied by a booklet containing an artist hand signed certificate of authenticity and information about the artist and casting process. It bears the edition number of your sculpture and is your guarantee that this is an original foundry casting of the sculptor’s work that she has personally approved.

This bronze casting is a perfect recreation of the artist's original sculpture and took two weeks to create by hand. It bears the artist's signature mark and its own unique edition number marked on the sculpture. As every piece is cast by hand and then the mould destroyed, each one is an original and so will be very slightly different to the last.

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, 5/500 means that your piece was the fifth piece to be cast from the master mould out of 500 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 12 item(s)

Hare Happiness!

Overall Satisfaction

I ordered two moon-gazing hares as presents but I have kept one back for myself because I love it so much. Quite simply, a beautifully made and styled piece. Effortless and efficient transaction, starting from the online order through to perfect packaging and quick despatch and delivery. Review by Janet / (Posted on 26/07/2022)

Ms

Overall Satisfaction

The hare was a gift for my daughter and son-in-law for their anniversary. We were all happy with the piece and how it is made, packaged and delivered. Thank you Nelson & Forbes. Review by Kathleen (Australia) / (Posted on 02/11/2020)

Perfect gift, great customer service.

Overall Satisfaction

I bought this beautiful hare as a birthday present for my mum form myself and my daughters in Jan 2020. My mum loves hares and as my eldest daughter was travelling in New Zealand and we are all quite scattered, we bought the piece so mum knew that wherever we are in the world, if any of us feel sad or lonely, we just need to remember we are all looking at the same moon. It took ages to find the right hare and this little character was so full of movement and expression I really loved him. It was very close to mums birthday so I contacted Nelson and Forbes to check it would arrive in time. They were so helpful and quick to reply. The hare arrived, beautifully packaged. My mum loves him and loved Sue Maclaurens work. Very satisfied customer , thank you . Review by Sarah / (Posted on 01/05/2020)

Excellent

Overall Satisfaction

Came swiftly and well packaged. Excellent service. Review by Mr. C.O / (Posted on 17/04/2020)

Charming hare study.

Overall Satisfaction

Delightful figure from every angle and a very good size. Lovely study of a hare fascinated by the moon. Highly recommended. Review by Mrs J M / (Posted on 19/05/2019)

Absolutely charming

Overall Satisfaction

I’m delighted to say I have it and it is absolutely charming. :-)
Thank you so much for getting it to me in ample time for my partner’s birthday
Review by Ms. T.M. (Australia) / (Posted on 02/11/2018)

Huge, huge thanks

Overall Satisfaction

Hi - this is a very late note to say thank you so much for your excellent customer service earlier this year. Another supplier let me down at the last minute and I needed to find a special present for a significant birthday. Not only did you have just the thing (a beautiful moon gazing hare) you were able to ship it to me in time for the big day. You also phoned me to reassure me that it was on its way, and when it would arrive. I'm so grateful - huge, huge thanks!

Review by Ms. A.W. / (Posted on 02/10/2018)

Lovely Bronze Hare

Overall Satisfaction

Lovely bronze, beautifully packaged, brought as Xmas present for wife along with another hare, detail on them is amazing ,wife was thrilled with them , hardest bit was choosing what ones to buy..Thank you, sure I will be buying again in future Review by Dave H / (Posted on 15/01/2018)

Absolutely Fabulous

Overall Satisfaction

This was given to me as a present, so beautiful. My heart melted. Stunning piece of work. Review by Christine M / (Posted on 01/09/2017)

So Happy

Overall Satisfaction

Small is beautiful. My hare is absolutely lovely and I am so pleased with it. It will go with the racing hare my husband bought for me for Christmas.
Many thanks.
Kind regards.
Hope to visit again in the future. Review by C.P. / (Posted on 16/02/2017)

Bronze Moon Gazing Hare Marquette by Sue Maclaurin

Overall Satisfaction

This piece is a treasure. It is beautifully finished and a key element in my bronze collection. Sue Maclaurin is a skilled and talented artist, makes sure that each piece is finished with great care, and presented in a very classy handmade box and presentation. It is a great addition to a collection, or an exceptional gift. Nelson and Forbes give amazing client service and attention to detail. Highly recommend the artist and the gallery. Review by Gena / (Posted on 11/02/2017)

Perfect!

Overall Satisfaction

Dear Miss Foster,
The two hares arrived yesterday, and they are perfect! I just love them, and cannot wait to give one as a gift to a very dear friend. Thank you for all of your help.
Thank you again, and have a wonderful week. Review by G.K. / (Posted on 02/02/2017)