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Bronze Hare Sculpture: Racing Hare by Sue Maclaurin

Bronze Hare Sculpture: Racing Hare by Sue Maclaurin

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Including VAT: $302.06 Excluding VAT: $251.72

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Size in cm: 12w x 9h x 5d cm
Size in inches: 4¾"w x 3½"h x 2"d
Weight: 820g / 1lb 13oz

Edition: 250
Material: Foundry Cast Bronze

This eye catching sculpture of a hare in full flight was sculpted by Sue Maclaurin and hand cast in solid bronze by Nelson & Forbes, it is a foundry casting of her original sculpture and took two weeks to create by hand. It is one of a limited edition of just 250 castings worldwide.

Racing Hare is presented in a beautiful and high quality hand made gift box, created by our box maker in the Midlands, and is accompanied by a certificate of authenticity.

The certificate was individually printed by hand from an original copper plate engraving in Hampshire, before being signed by the artist and numbered with the number of this casting. It 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 was made in a Birmingham foundry. It bears the artist's signature and its own unique edition number. As every piece is cast by hand and then the mould destroyed, each one is unique and so will be very slightly different to the last.

This piece complements Sue Maclaurin’s other bronze hares including Flying Hare II, Alert Hare II, Hare Washing Ear, Listening Hare, Lying Hare, Rolling Hare, Boxing Hares and Tumbling Hares.

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.

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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)

Mad as a March Hare

Overall Satisfaction

A beautifully detailed bronze sculpture purchased for my wife who is mad about hares (mad as a March hare). Great quality and a delight to look at.

Review by Frinton Fogey / (Posted on 08/07/2023)

Perfect present

Overall Satisfaction

The hare was a fiftieth birthday present for my daughter. I wanted to give her something beautiful, enduring and of heirloom quality. This sculpture fitted the bill perfectly. She was beyond delighted with it. We were very impressed with the quality of the packaging packaging and your excellent service. Review by Suzanne / (Posted on 01/11/2021)

Perfect

Overall Satisfaction

Thank you so much ! The sculpture is beautiful ! A very nice work of art. Review by A.B (France) / (Posted on 25/10/2020)

This sculpture is beautiful

Overall Satisfaction

My husband is very pleased with the sculpture, it has pride of place. He loves hares which we have plenty of around where we live but often sculptures are on the twee side. The way she has captured the hares natural motion in this sculpture Is beautiful
Review by Mrs. J.T. / (Posted on 08/02/2019)

The sculpture is beautiful

Overall Satisfaction

Dear Deborah,
Thank you for my order which was duly delivered on time on Wednesday. The sculpture is beautiful (as usual) as I am sure my daughter will agree. It will enhance her hare collection of sculptures and paintings, so please pass on my compliments to Sue. Also please note that your carrier D.P.D. deliver a first class service and are by far the best courier that has ever delivered to me. Thanks once again. Review by Mr. J.D. / (Posted on 31/05/2018)

Excellent

Overall Satisfaction

I expected a fine bronze sculpture from the reviews. However the sculpture far exceeded my expectations. It is a beautiful piece of art. Will definitely be placing more orders with Nelson & Forbes. Review by Wes / (Posted on 19/02/2018)

Racing Hare

Overall Satisfaction

I love it ! Review by PF / (Posted on 16/01/2018)

The Racing Hare

Overall Satisfaction

Small, but perfectly formed, giving the impression of speed. Review by Victor / (Posted on 16/01/2018)

Racing Hare

Overall Satisfaction

Admired by all who see it. Quality is excellent Review by David Dobbie / (Posted on 15/01/2018)

Racing Hare

Overall Satisfaction

Absolutely delighted. A lovely work of art, beautifully presented & packaged. Review by Stephen Sykes / (Posted on 26/09/2017)

Excellent product

Overall Satisfaction

Delighted to confirm that the order was delivered this afternoon at the exact time advised by text earlier today.
Thank you so much for an excellent product and incredibly efficient service.
Kind regards, Review by H. / (Posted on 30/01/2017)

Hear is beautiful