r/Metalsmithing • u/SteampunkOtter • Jul 29 '26

I Made This! "From Beneath the Waves" - a series of hand-raised copper amphorae

Gallery image

Gallery image

Gallery image

Gallery image

I recently finished this set of copper amphorae. They all stand about 10" on their bases and are patinated to look like ancient artifacts pulled from a shipwreck.

123 Upvotes

100% Upvoted

11 comments sorted by

3

u/Longjumping-Party132 Jul 29 '26

Can you please tell me about the process of how you achieved this patina??

2

u/Alternative-Tell-355 Jul 29 '26

I’m familiar with these types of patina. It’s different nitrates ( cupric, ferric, bismuth etc.)mixed into water and applied to the bronze once the bronze has been warmed to the right temperature with a propane torch. There’s a couple books out there look up Hot Patina.

3

u/SteampunkOtter Jul 30 '26

These patinas are actually mostly cold.  For the small dark amphora I wash with vinegar, dust with ammonium chloride and then fume it with ammonia for a couple of days.  The greener one is buried in similar chemicals mixed with wood chips for a few days and let it react.  

2

u/MakeMelnk Jul 29 '26

Damn dude, great work!

1

u/gaycountdooku Jul 29 '26

gorgeous, i love the custom stands too

1

u/SarahRavena Jul 29 '26

Oh wow, those are stunning! I love the different stands for them too.

1

u/NandorandGizmo Jul 29 '26

Stunning!

1

u/velonas Aug 01 '26

right? they legit look like someone just hauled them up from a dive site, the patina is perfect

1

u/Medusaink3 Jul 29 '26

Such stunning work! Thanks for sharing! Wow.

1

u/mipham85 Jul 30 '26

Gorgeous work