Figurines are a wonderful decorative item that can really lift the décor in your home. However, choosing the right figurines for your home can be a difficult and very personal decision. Not only do you want to select something that will not look out of place in a room, but you also want to pick something that you will enjoy looking at and that will have some meaning to you. It’s not just about the design, it’s about the materials.
In this article, we will look at the different materials you might onsider when looking for the right figurine for your home.
Resin
Resin is a synthetic material that is well known for its versatility, popular with many manufacturers. These figurines are crafted by pouring resin into a mould created from an original sculpture. When hardened, the resin figurine is painted or glazed and can be made to resemble bronze, porcelain or even stone. It is used to create many of the figurines we know and love like the Disney Figurines by Britto. Resin figurines are quite durable, although they are liable to break if dropped, and can easily be cleaned with warm water.
Bronze
The technique for making bronze figures is an ancient one with its roots tracing back around 5000 years. Molten bronze is poured into a mould using a technique called “lost wax” or “Cire Perdue”. When the bronze has solidified, the mould is removed and the bronze surface is treated with a patina or protective coating, which has the potential to give it lighter highlights over time. Handled properly, bronze is very durable and makes a great investment – just look for manufacturers like Genesis. Care-wise, a wipe with a soft cloth is the recommended cleaning method. If you need to use a cleaning product, only those marked suitable for bronze should be used.
Porcelain
Porcelain is a ceramic material that is made up of several different elements including clay, feldspar and other minerals. The composition can vary from one manufacturer to another. Figurines made of porcelain are created using a clay mould into which liquid porcelain is poured. When this has set it is removed from the mould and decorated before being fired in a kiln at a high temperature. Well-known manufacturers of porcelain figurines include Lladro and Nao. Porcelain is very delicate so care should be taken when handling figurines, particularly those with delicate detailing. Porcelain figures should be cleaned with either a soft brush or cloth and a mild solution of warm water and detergent.
Bone China
Bone China is made from China clay, China stone and bone ash (sourced from animal bones). These materials are mixed with porcelain clay and then fired at a lower temperature. Figurines made out of Bone China are made in much the same way as those made out of porcelain. Just like porcelain it is a very delicate material and figurines should be handled with care using only delicate cleaning methods. Royal Doulton and Royal Crown Derby are well-known companies that manufacture detailed and exquisite Bone China figurines.
Other materials
Wood and clay, which are a little bit more robust, are also sometimes used to make figurines. They often produce a more rustic style of ornament.
When it comes to choosing the right figurines for your home, your choice will most likely be swayed by the aesthetics of the piece rather than the material. However, it is important to consider how fragile a piece may be and also how to clean it in order to keep your purchase in its best condition.
