Elsbeth relies almost entirely on her slabroller to create the main structure of her work, rather than the coil-building technique common to many sculptors of the ceramic medium. This is a heavy steel table that rolls clay into varying thicknesses of sheets, depending on how thick or thin the artist needs the clay. A large steel cylinder is rolled down the length of the table, compressing the clay as it goes. The sheets of clay can then be manipulated, molded, draped, impressed or incised.

Elsbeth utilizes a white stoneware sculptural clay that contains an element of paper fiber mixed in to strengthen the form and assist in even drying, minimizing cracking in the firing process. The paper then burns out completely.

The sculptural process itself usually spans two or three weeks, depending on the complexity and the size of the piece. Then the sculpture is carefully and slowly dried during the course of another two weeks. Once completely dry, the piece joins others in the kiln, where they are fired slowly to a “bisque” state. Then the piece is sanded very carefully to refine and smooth the surface before then being fired again to completion.

At this point the sculpture is ready for its coats of oil-based glazing and detailed painting.

The main characteristics of bronze are that it is a very strong material and corrosion resistant, even against seawater corrosion. The temperature at which it turns into liquid is also very low, making it ideal to be used for our sculptures.

Bronze chemistry 101:
Unlike gold and silver, bronze is not an element, but an alloy. As in it's a mixture of metals, being copper (Cu) and tin (Sn). The most commonly used mixing ratio is 90% copper and 10% tin.

Quality:
Our bronze will provide you with a lifetime of worry free enjoyment. They can be enjoyed both indoor and outdoors, but due to their size are best fitted for any place inside your house.

Timeline:
Archaeological discoveries determined the following rough timeline; to which regions around the world started their “Bronze Age”.

• 4500 BC - Thailand
• 4000 BC - Middle East
• 3300 BC - Greece
• 2200 BC - England
• 2000 BC - Nordic Europe
• 1900 BC - China
• 1800 BC - Central Europe
• 1000 AD - North America
                    (pre-Columbian)

After the “Bronze Age” came the “Iron Age”, because tin became harder to find.