Featured Restoration project - Art Deco sculpture.

I've decided to "have a go" at restoring this chalk-ware/plaster Art Deco sculpture myself. Repairing it with Black air-drying clay shouldn't be too much of a problem, but it will remain to be seen how best to overpaint the area as I want to avoid a complete repaint. It is fortunate perhaps that the damage is minimal and is in a fairly obscure area of the sculpture. I will also attempt to produce a metal spear to add to the dramatics of the piece. It is certainly worth my wile because it is an original signed period sculpture by Salvatore Melani.

I have also added a few pics of some other sculptures I have so far taken out of boxes. You will have to forgive the mess, but I've only recently moved into another premises. My ever-faithful Sabino glass butterfly provides a sense of size & scale to each sculpture

"OUCH!!!"

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by Ugo Cipriani, France.


by Emile Rouff, France.


Another by Salvatore Melani, France.​

 

Do you have an airbrush?

 

I’m sure the restoration using black air drying clay on this particularly marvellous sculpture will go well. Looking forward to viewing the results when you have it completed. ❤️Maven

 

Alas not. It may be worth buying a cheap one on eBay??? I've never used one before

 

It will give me something to do during the Covid lockdown! I've already purchased the Black clay and waiting for it to arrive by post. I'll use the long straight part of a wire clothes-hanger for the spear

 

@kyratango might also be able to offer some worthwhile tips??? Although you do seem quite capable!

 

Any help/advice would be useful. I don't intend to sell it, but fixing it would keep it stable and prevent further damage. A of small dab of Black boot polish may do to the trick?

 

I think matching the sheen may be more important than anything. It seems to be somewhat glossy, but hard to tell.

Just make a bunch of clay pieces off to the side to practice on, and then go live when you're confident.

But kyra has mad skills in repair work. Wait for her advice.

 

That's a very good idea @sabre123 "Practice makes Perfect" and I should have plenty of clay left to practice on.
The sculpture has what I'd describe as a 'satin' finish rather than high-gloss. I'll take my time with it and ensure the clay is finely-smoothed before I add any colour. It's fortunate to be a damaged elbow, and not any place else.

 

You really did 'luck out,' in terms of the location of the damage.

 

I repair chalkware quite effectively using baking soda and Krazy Glue.
Build up a tape dam to hold the baking soda in place, drop on a few drips of thin KG, allow to saturate, -done.
Remove tape dam, file to shape, paint to match. You will find there are more shades of black than you could imagine, once you buy something "black". Same as white!

 

I've not yet used air drying clay, only ready made filler in white, then colored with permanent markers after sanding to desired shape.
Slight wax buffing to get the same shine than the whole piece!
But my practices are limited to small objects and jewellery...
What size/length should be the spear? A long wooden skewer may play the trick

 

I chose Black coloured air-drying clay due to its colour and, and thought it would be easier (and less messy) to work with? I may also find it easier to keep smooth whilst shaping it. I'll test a small piece for a good colour match before working on the sculpture... I like your idea for the making of a spear, @kyratango and I'll try using a wooden kebab stick. It will be a good contrast-colour to match his loin cloth! I think a short handled 'stabbing-type' spear would be better than a long javelin, and so I can attempt making a wooden blade. Perhaps looking at a few tribes/Zulu pics will give me some ideas?

 

I love that Grace Jones.