Wisconsin Electrical Power Company - Milwaukee, Wisconsin
This week’s topic is custom light fixtures. I estimate that over the years, Historical Arts & Casting has made or restored well over 6000 light fixtures. These lights have come in all different shapes and sizes. From enormous monumental lights, like those found in Grand Central Terminal, to much smaller, but still incredibly beautiful and detailed residential lights. The majority of these lights have been produced in aluminum, bronze or cast iron. Today, I would like to try and focus on the benefits and specific advantages of using bronze as the material of choice.
Bronze Light Fixtures - Modeled after light fixtures created for the Los Angeles Public Library - These light fixtures are located in a private residence in Layton, UT
There is a perceived richness and quality associated with the word “bronze”, and rightfully so. Throughout history bronze has been used for tools, weapons, marine hardware, sculpture and a myriad of other useful and beautiful objects. For the majority of our products we use what is commonly known as 875 Silicon Bronze. It is a copper alloy that is roughly 82% copper, 14% zinc and 4% silicon. It is widely used in the sculpture industry because it has a low melting point of around 1950-2000 degrees Fahrenheit and is very fluid. These natural characteristics lend themselves to the casting process. It is also corrosion resistant and, if used in an exterior application actually creates a natural verde gris (green gray) patina over time that helps protect the metal.
Bronze Light Fixure - Columbia University, New York, NY
It is easy to fabricate and can be welded, soldered, brazed or multiple pieces can be mechanically attached with matching fasteners. Our goal is to make the connections as seamless as possible so even multiple complex parts look like one integral piece. One of the best qualities about bronze is the variety of finishes that can be applied. Bronze can be finished with a dark patina, a medium statuary or a light polish or grained finish.
(from l to r) Utah State Capitol, Salt Lake City, Utah - Kapalua Ritz Carlton Hotel, Maui, Hawaii - Private Residence, Salt Lake City, Utah
These can be protected with lacquer or wax. By using other chemicals you can also encourage (speed up) the verde gris finish or achieve a reddish brown mottled appearance. We have been perfecting these finishes over time and provide finish samples for approval before finalizing the lights. If you would like more information about the over 170 lights in our catalog or if we can help you design something totally custom – please contact us at (801) 280-2400 or go to our website www.historicalarts.com
It has been amazing to watch as Historical Arts has grown from 13 employees to over 50 and has successfully completed several multi-million dollars projects. Over the years I have had the opportunity to be everything from a delivery driver and forklift operator to the Director of Tradeshow marketing and the Financial Controller. Nowadays, I spend my time looking at lots of numbers and statistics and making them balance. One statistic that really stands out to me is that our current employees have an average tenure of 10.88 years. Great metalwork takes time and talent to learn and master. As a whole we have over 500 years of combined metalworking experience. That is simply amazing to me. We have completed numerous projects in New York City and invariably when I fly there I see the Statue of Liberty and remember being a part of building something that has, and will stand the test of time.