Cold Cast Bronze “Bonded Bronze” vs. Bronze

I routinely have inquires pertaining to the difference between cold-cast-bronze – “bonded bronze” and bronze (hot-cast bronze).

Cold-Cast Bronze as referred to as “bonded bronze”, is a product made from polyester, epoxy or another resin. The resin is mixed/blended with bronze powder and pigments to give it the appearance of the true bronze.

True Bronze refers to a broad range of copper alloys, usually with tin as the main additive, but sometimes with other elements such as phosphorus, manganese, aluminium, or silicon.  It is strong and tough and has myriad uses in industry. It was particularly significant in antiquity, giving its name to the Bronze Age. (Wikipedia)

"Lost Wax" Process is perhaps the most popular way of casting bronze. This process is used in the jewelry, fine sculpture and tool manufacturing …etc. It produces detail.
The lost wax process is intricate and very time consuming, requiring specialized skill; hence, the price of bronze sculptures can be much more expensive than a cold-cast sculpture.

A thin hollow wax casting of the sculpture is made poured from the mold.

The wax casting is covered with several layers/coats of ceramic shell/slurry. Once dried it is placed in a kiln/oven in order to melt the wax casting. This will create the exact space the wax casting occupied within the ceramic shell.

The molten bronze is then introduced into the ceramic shell. Once the shell and bronze has cooled down the shell is broken off revealing the bronze.

Next, the bronze casting is ready for cleaning and patina. Patinas are applied by heating the bronze with a torch.

I hope that this clears up the confusion as to why true bronze is so much expensive than the cold-cast-bronze.

Moreover, cold-cast-bronze will not necessarily appreciate as the hot-cast-bronze.

Artists usually create smaller limited editions of their sculptures. This helps increase the value of the sculptures over the years. Collectors and investors are always investing in sculptures that will appreciate.