The sculpture before treatment. The polluted environment had led to a mottled black surface appearance
A view of the lower part of the sculpture and the base before treatment. Some of the original green patina had been lost through weathering
Remnants of old wax on the surface had absorbed pollutants and become blackened. Where wax was weathered away the underlying bronze had a dry green appearance
A view of the sculpture hoarding. HongKong Land enclosed the scaffold in a leafy print covering to improve its appearance and protect the public whilst we carried out the treatment
Cleaning the dirt and old wax from the surface using high pressure steam
Small areas of missing green patina were retouched using a selection of cold patina recipes collected from foundries involved with Moore's sculptures
The sculpture after cleaning, retouching and cold waxing
Side view of the sculpture after treatment
Back view of the sculpture after treatment
Henry Moore
'Oval with Points' 1968
This monumental bronze sculpture is owned by Hongkong Land and it is displayed outside the Landmark Building in Central Hong Kong. Early photographs show that it originally had a variegated watery green patina, with a member of staff at Hongkong Land commenting that he remembered it was ‘like a piece of jade’ when it was first installed. Over the years the high levels of humidity and pollution in Hong Kong had caused the surface of the sculpture to become blackened and unsightly. Together with our fellow sculpture conservator colleagues from Two Sticks in New York we were asked to undertake a treatment of the sculpture to improve its condition.
The sculpture was first cleaned with steam to remove surface soils and traces of wax. Small areas of missing green patina were retouched using a selection of cold patina recipes used on Moore’s sculptures and collected through past research in order to integrate the overall appearance. A clear wax was then applied to the surface of the sculpture to provide some protection from weathering.
With thanks to:
Roger Griffith of Two Sticks Inc. for project management and collaboration with 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.
Artist | Henry Moore |
|---|---|
Name | 'Oval with Points' 1968 |
Client | HongKong Land |
Location | Hong Kong |