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Bronze Dog Sculpture: Flat Coated Retriever by Sue Maclaurin

Bronze Dog Sculpture: Flat Coated Retriever by Sue Maclaurin

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Including VAT: $479.22 Excluding VAT: $399.35

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Size in cm: 17w x 10.5h x2.5d cm
Size in inches: 6½"w x 4¼"h x 1"d
Weight: 760g / 1lb 10oz

Edition: 250
Material: Foundry Cast Bronze

Nelson & Forbes M.D. Deborah Foster enjoys many happy memories of playing with Archie, the Flat Coated Retriever who lived up the lane with Deborah’s best friend during her childhood, so she was delighted to commission a sculpture of this lovely breed when we received many, many requests for it!

Sue Maclaurin’s sculpture beautifully captures the laid back and happy attitude of the Flat Coated Retriever, as well as its distinctive appearance and silhouette. Whether as a reminder of a much loved family pet, or to honour one or more Flatcoats that share your life (and sofa!), this sculpture makes a wonderful gift for any lover of the breed

We cast this sculpture by hand in our British foundry, using the traditional lost wax method of casting solid bronze. Each casting takes several weeks to create individually, before being numbered as one of a limited edition of just 250 castings worldwide.

Each sculpture arrives beautifully presented in our signature handmade gift box, along with an artist signed and numbered certificate of authenticity. Each casting bears the artist’s signature and our ‘NF’ maker’s mark – you guarantee that this is an original Nelson & Forbes casting in bronze.

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 10 item(s)

A fanfare for Flatcoats

Overall Satisfaction

This wonderful bronze sculpture represents a fitting tribute to the six Flatcoated Retrievers that we have owned: Trumpet, Bassoon, Flute, Bagpipes, Maracas and Cello. The musical theme continues as the sculpture is affectionally knows as Glockenspiel. Review by Richard / (Posted on 24/05/2024)

Flatcoat

Overall Satisfaction

I have always had Flatcoat retrievers and it is so so hard to ever find a sculpture. I couldn’t believe it when l saw this, so had to have one. When the sculpture arrived I was totally blown away. It is absolutely stunning and beautifully made. I love it so much. I can honestly say it’s one of my prize possessions.

Review by Suzanne / (Posted on 26/07/2023)

Full of movement and emotion...

Overall Satisfaction

Every Flat is unique so finding a sculpture that captures even some of our dog's characteristics is not an obvious feat but Sue Maclaurin's sculpture is full of movement and emotion and it captures our dog masterfully! Review by Alex K. (Switzerland) / (Posted on 06/07/2023)

Beautifully done sculpture

Overall Satisfaction

Dear Miss Deborah Foster,
I was delighted with your beautifully presented Flat Coated bronze! It came exactly when you said it would!
Sue Maclaurin has captured my certified Therapy Dog, we visit hospitals, hospice patients and shut-ins, and since the pandemic, schools, where the kindergarten children read to her! She is well known and beloved by so many.
I have always been interested in your ads in English Home magazine, and was overjoyed to see your offering of a Flat Coated Retriever Sculpture. As an animal lover and owner, I have admired your many sculptures, and always looked for a Flattie, Finally!
Thank you! It was so easy, and on time and a beautifully done sculpture!
Review by Ms. P.B. (USA) / (Posted on 05/07/2023)

Great 8th Anniversary gift

Overall Satisfaction

My wife loves Retrievers so I searched the world (from Australia) for a fitting 8th anniversary gift. This sculpture was just the ticket. She loves it. I should now be happily married for another 8 years at least
Review by Adrian / (Posted on 02/11/2021)

Just like Nell

Overall Satisfaction

A beautiful sculpture. The very image of Nell,my wonderful flat coat retriever guide dog,
Thank you very much for this lovely product Review by Frances / (Posted on 01/11/2021)

Lovely Memorial for Marlow

Overall Satisfaction

We lost our flat coat Marlow in May and got this beautiful bronze sculpture as part of a memorial for him. The detail is amazing and the craftsmanship is very high quality.

Review by Tara / (Posted on 08/11/2020)

Magnificent sculpture

Overall Satisfaction

I absolutely love this sculpture. I have 2 Flatcoated Retrievers and the sculpture is very true to the breed. It was a special gift for a big birthday in a year full of turmoil. Thank you to the sculptor Sue, you are a very talented lady.

Review by Yvonne Hall / (Posted on 24/10/2020)

It is beautiful

Overall Satisfaction

Just a quick thank you. The piece arrived and is beautiful. Thank you for a fine product and prompt service. Review by Mr. M.M. (USA) / (Posted on 08/02/2019)

Just like the real thing

Overall Satisfaction

I own a liver flat coated retriever and this sculpture is him to a T. It captures his spirit such that, were I able to reduce him in size and stand him next to the sculpture it would be impossible to tell the difference. Thank you. Review by Judith / (Posted on 11/08/2018)