'Water Buffalo I Standing' before treatment. The green and black streaky appearance is the result of weathering in a polluted environment over the years.
'Water Buffalo II Lying' before treatment
Detail of the surface of 'Water Buffalo II Lying' before treatment
The buffaloes were originally displayed in shallow water but this caused heavy encrustations and some corrosion at the interface between air and water
Encrustations around the tail and lower body of the lying buffalo
Detail of the hoof of the standing buffalo after encrustations have been cleaned away showing the artist's signature in the bronze
Waiting for the bus to take us to the Kowloon warehouse
Detail of the standing buffalo in the Kowloon warehouse showing the weathered patina
Detail of the head of the lying buffalo showing weathered patina before treatment
Removing dirt deposits and residual wax using a high-pressure steam washer
Steam washing from above
After cleaning encrustations and reducing heavier corrosion products a light patination was applied to begin unifying the streaky surface
This shows the head of the lying buffalo after treatment with light patina solutions
A hot wax treatment was applied to the sculptures to ensure that the wax penetrates the bronze. This was followed with a second layer of cold wax to ensure that the buffaloes are protected from the environment
The lying buffalo after treatment
The buffaloes after treatment, now mounted on dry rocks above a pool to represent their natural habitat
A picture of our celebration meal of animal dim sum to thank the team at the warehouse for their help with our project
Dame Elisabeth Frink
'Water Buffalo I Standing' 1988 and 'Water Buffalo II Lying' 1987
This pair of bronze buffaloes was commissioned by HongKong Land in 1986 and they are currently displayed in the Forum outside the Landmark Building in Central Hong Kong. Over the years the high levels of humidity and pollution in Hong Kong had caused the surfaces of these sculptures to acquire a green and black streaky appearance caused by corrosive weathering.
Together with our fellow sculpture conservator colleagues from the company Two Sticks in New York we were asked to undertake a treatment to improve their condition as part of an overall refurbishment of the Forum area. They were removed from site and treated in a large warehouse facility in Kowloon so that they would be protected whilst the building work took place. The buffaloes were cleaned and the corrosion was treated before repatination was undertaken. They were then given several coats of wax to help give some protection from the Hong Kong climate. They had originally been displayed standing in water but it was agreed that they would be mounted on dry stone mounts within a fountain after treatment to improve their condition in future.
With thanks to:
Roger Griffith of Two Sticks Inc. who collaborated with project management and treatment.
Sherry Wong, Senior Procurement and Compliance manager, Hongkong Land Ltd. for all her help in organising this project.
Sally Bowling, Christopher Moore and Reinhard Bek for assistance with treatment.
Lixia Adamcova who provided translation and assistance.
The Team at Gammon, Kowloon, for their help in handling and moving sculptures at the warehouse.
Artist | Dame Elisabeth Frink |
|---|---|
Name | 'Water Buffalo I Standing' 1988 and 'Water Buffalo II Lying' 1987 |
Client | Hongkong Land |
Location | Hong Kong |