Page 195 - Deydier UNDERSTANDING CHINESE ARCHAIC BRONZES

of copper), commonly called malachite, or blue (carbonate of copper),
called azurite.

Fake Patinas

The artificial patinas applied to bronze reproductions are produced
using the following materials and techniques:

■ Acids
The earliest method used, and the most widely-used and easy, is
soaking the bronze object in chlorohydric acid. A second related
technique consists of soaking the vessel in a mixture of acid, lime,
salt and colours. The object is subsequently buried to a depth of
about a meter for a period of from three to four years. That allows
a chemical reaction to take place, which creates a patina which is,
in many ways, very similar to that on an authentic archaic bronze
vessel. A third method is the use of a mixture of sulfuric acid and
ammonia. After being kept in a very humid place for from three
to five days, the emerged vessel will be covered by a green patina,
which is difficult to remove. The famous fake-maker Wang Deshan
王德山 made extensive use of this method at the beginning of the
last century.

■ Lacquer
Certain other types of artificial patina are produced by applying to
the bronze a mixture of lacquer and colours, to which alcohol is
sometimes added.

■ Paint
The surface of the vessel is covered with paint imitating the colours
of an ancient patina.

■ Artificial application of authentic patina
Particles of genuine ancient patina are lifted from damaged or
broken authentic archaic bronzes and then attached to fake bronzes.
Sometimes these particles of authentic patina are pounded into
powder and mixed with small fragments of bronze and powdered
turquoise. The resulting paste is then applied to a modern vessel,
which is often then covered with a coating of wax.

th
Fake fangding, made in early 20 century.
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