Art bronzer-CIR workshop
CIR workshop is an art bronze workshop specializing in the restoration, creation and transformation of chandeliers, lighting fixtures and antique bronzes, from the 18th to the 20th century.
Each intervention is carried out with a high level of requirement: respect for the period, traditional techniques, materials and the original intention of the object.
The workshop works both for individuals, heritage sites, and for decoration and architecture professionals.
The art bronzers of the workshop
Calvin Robinson
Director CIR Workshop - Art bronzer
Calvin, art bronzier since 2007, having worked in carpentry, foundry and several manual trades, expert in ancient techniques.
Isaure Robinson
Director of the CIR Workshop - Art bronze maker
Isaure, bronzière d’art since 2016, has trained in traditional techniques of the trade with Calvin.
Réjane
Art bronze maker
Arriving in 2022, with a degree in art history, she is trained internally in the profession of artistic bronze worker and in all the stages of restoring old lighting fixtures.
Our profession: Art bronze maker
We are committed to perpetuating the ancestral know-how of French bronze workers.
To make our know-how, sometimes little known, we will present to you, below, the different areas of our profession.
Appraisal of Goods
Firstly, CIR Workshop, an art bronze maker, carries out an in-depth assessment of your property in order to identify its characteristics, period, style and manufacturing techniques, and to be able to consider an authentic and respectful restoration.
The restoration of an ancient bronze depends closely on its period, its style and its original processes, each intervention being adapted to the traditional techniques of the artistic bronze casting profession.
Network of skilled professionals
Lampshade maker, watchmaker, glassmaker, founder, carpenter… each profession intervenes when the project requires it, while respecting traditional techniques and the spirit of the piece.
Partner artisans
- Lampshade maker : Katia Forlano Lorenza
- Watchmaker : L’Heure de Lys
- Glassmaker : VSN – verre soufflé normalisé
- Founder: Fonderie Saint-Sauveur
- Carpenter : Atelier Saint-Aubin
Quality of Expertise
As an art bronzer, we use techniques specific to our profession.
Here is an example from our specialty, chandelier restoration:
- Disassembly/Reassembly
- Cleaning
- Browning
- The patina of metals
- Electrification
- Mounting crystals and/or tassels
- Gilding/Silvering with leaf
Art bronze maker: technical expertise at the service of ancient objects
Disassembling/ Reassembling
Position
Somewhat delicate step that requires precaution and experience.
Cleaning
Position
Each material has its own cleaning rules! It’s important to follow each technique specific to each material throughout the restoration process to ensure better results.
Burnishing
Position
With burnishers and agate stones. Burnishing is a finish-polishing technique used on gilded and silvered bronzes. It restores gilding to their original glory.
Metal patina
Position
The art of coloring bronze pieces with the tone you like. We practice different patina techniques within our workshop (blowtorch, immersion…) coupled with professional products used to get the desired shade. Diverse patinas can be applied following this technique: green, red, light or dark brown, black…
”Electrification
Position
”
Assembling crystals
Position
It is a work of art, art jewelry to be precise. Crystals are put together with harmony adding charm to your chandelier. In any restoration, we assemble elements while taking the style and period of your chandelier into account.
Gold Leaf Gilding / Silvering
Position
A craft in its own right. We practice the delicate and fragile gold leaf laying technique within our workshop. It can be a limited restoration of gilding elements that have partially faded or peeled off over the years or a complete do-over of the damaged bronze and chandelier frames.
Dorure/Argenture à la feuille
Position
Métier à part entière. Nous pratiquons au sein de notre atelier la pose délicate et fragile de la feuille d’or. Allant du rattrapage de manque de dorure à une dorure complète de l’armature du lustre et du bronze.
Frequently asked questions – Bronzier d’art
What is an art bronzer?
An art bronzier is a craftsman specializing in the work of decorative bronze and lighting: restoration, gilding, patina, carving, polishing, assembly.
It works on objects such as:
- chandeliers and sconces,
- pendulums, clocks, sculptures,
- decorative bronzes,
- furniture locks and bronzes.
He masters traditional and artisanal techniques passed down for several centuries.
What is the difference between an art bronze caster and a bronze caster?
- The founder casts the bronze, generally from a mold (lost wax, sand, etc.).
- The art bronzier comes later: he chisels, polishes, patinates, gilds and assembles the piece.
The two professions are complementary. Depending on the projects, an art bronzier can collaborate with a foundry, in particular to reproduce missing pieces.
What types of bronze objects do you restore?
We restore in particular:
- antique chandeliers and wall lights,
- bronze girandoles and decorations,
- pendulums and clocks,
- sculptures in gilded or patinated bronze,
- decorative objects in bronze, brass or silver metal,
- furnishing bronzes,
- old locks and keys.
Each piece is treated with precision to preserve its style, patina and heritage value.
What are the deadlines for an art bronzier?
Deadlines vary depending on the nature of the project, its complexity and its scale.
For information only:
- A few days may be enough for simple interventions (small repairs, adjustments, cleaning, replacement of elements).
- Several weeks are generally required for complete restorations, gilding work or custom creations.
- Several months may be required for large-scale projects, very old pieces, heritage restorations or complex creations requiring several trades.
Each order is subject to an adapted schedule, defined after study of the part and validation of the quote.
Do you work on modern pieces?
Yes. We are also working on:
- contemporary creations in bronze,
- custom reproductions,
- projects for decorators, architects or collectors.
We combine traditional know-how and contemporary requirements.
The workshop also collaborates with contemporary artists to highlight and electrify their works, in constant dialogue between artistic craftsmanship and artistic creation.
Artists & artistic collaborations:
- Agnès by Bizet – works presented at the Galerie Gastou,, rue Bonaparte, 75006 Paris
- Le Cabinet de la Porcelaine – artist, 75007 Paris
Can we get a quote for a bronze restoration?
Each quote is established on photo or after examination of the part.
We take into account:
- the general condition,
- the material (bronze, brass, silver metal, etc.),
- the necessary work (cleaning, patina, gilding, carving, reassembly),
- the historical techniques to be respected.
What are the different types of gilding?
- Mercury gilding: ancient technique offering exceptional results. Today highly regulated, it is reserved for specific parts and requires advanced know-how. We do not do mercury gilding in the workshop because it is harmful to health.
- Gilding with gold leaf: the most used method today, allowing faithful, durable restoration without health risks.
- Gilding with electrolysis or in a bath: 2 electrodes in a bath, one will be deposited on the metal.
In the workshop we practice leaf gilding and bath gilding.
We choose the most appropriate technique depending on the period and the object entrusted to us.
Do you offer bronze objects for sale?
Atelier CIR offers:
- restored old chandeliers,
- sculptures in gilded or patinated bronze,
- old clocks,
- decorative objects Empire, Louis XVI, Napoleon III, Art Deco…
Each piece is selected, restored and documented by us. A large network of antique dealers, gallery owners, and art dealers can help us find the property you are looking for. We can install the chandelier and recover your old chandeliers.