From the West Country to the World
The Journey of Bronze
Our workshop sits in the rolling hills of South Somerset, a short drive from the Jurassic Coast, and it is here that every one of our sculptures begins its life in clay.
From this quiet corner of the West Country, our bronze literary characters travel to gardens and collections across Britain and, increasingly, all around the world. If you have admired a piece from afar and wondered how it might reach you, here is how the journey unfolds, from the studio floor to your garden.
Made by hand in South Somerset
Everything we create is handmade to order, and no element of the process is hurried. Each figure is modelled in clay, cast in bronze using techniques that have endured for thousands of years, then finished and patinated by hand until each and every detail is right.
As such, a hot cast bronze typically takes around sixteen to twenty-four weeks to complete, while a cold cast piece usually takes twelve to sixteen weeks.
On occasion, we have a sculpture in stock, which allows for a much faster turnaround, and we are always happy to let you know what is available.
The care behind every journey
A bronze sculpture is a significant investment, and we treat its journey with the consideration it deserves. Each piece is carefully packed and, where needed, custom crated to protect it in transit, no matter the distance.
For international orders, we use a fully insured air freight service, so your sculpture is covered for the entire journey. We have a great deal of experience sending work overseas, and a number of our most treasured pieces now reside with customers well beyond these shores.
Delivery within the United Kingdom
For orders within mainland United Kingdom, delivery is included at no additional charge. Once your piece is ready, we ask for the balance payment to complete the order, and we then arrange a delivery schedule that suits you, keeping you updated on its progress along the way.
You are also very welcome to collect from the workshop by arrangement, which has the happy bonus of letting you view the wider collection in our gallery and explore the beautiful Jurassic Coast while you are here. If anything about UK delivery is unclear, James is always glad to talk it through.
Sending sculptures overseas
Delivering internationally is something we do regularly and with confidence. If you live outside mainland United Kingdom and have your heart set on a particular sculpture, the best first step is a quick conversation with James, who can talk through the options for your country and location.
When you are ready to proceed, simply select the 'Overseas' option in your basket, and we will be in touch to discuss costs and arrange safe, fully insured air freight delivery. Distance is no barrier to a safe arrival; indeed, one of our Christopher Robin water features made the long trip to Perth in Western Australia a decade ago, arrived in perfect condition, and is still running happily to this day.
Where our sculptures live around the world
Our characters have found homes in some wonderful settings. Across the Atlantic in Virginia, Abernethy and Spencer host our Alice in Wonderland sculptures and water features within an extraordinary glasshouse setting that we cannot recommend highly enough. A little further north, the Through the Looking Glass exhibition is on permanent display at the O Museum in Washington, D.C., where visitors can meet our Wonderland cast up close.
Rather closer to home, the seasonal display at Forde Abbey in Somerset places our literary bronzes among planting, sweeping lawns and centuries-old stonework, with the Forde Abbey Trail guiding visitors through the gardens with a pleasing sense of storybook discovery. And beyond these public settings, our bronzes can be found bringing literary magic to private gardens from Dorset to the far side of the world. Wherever they land, they seem to settle in as though they had always belonged.
Installation, placement and lasting care
Once your sculpture arrives, thoughtful placement helps it look its very best. As a rule, we suggest keeping pieces away from large trees that might drop branches, and giving water features a sensible position in relation to a mains supply.
If you would like a hand, our installation service is available, and James is always happy to advise on siting, from a single figure to a broader literary scene. Every piece also comes backed by our warranties and care guidance, so you can enjoy it with real confidence for years to come.
If you are considering a sculpture for your own garden, wherever in the world that garden happens to be, we would be delighted to help you begin. A brochure request or a call with James is the easiest way to start the conversation, and to plan a journey that ends with a bronze character finding its home among your planting.
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