2. Tin
Tin is majorly used for metal wall artworks, plaques, figural sculptures, hanging ornaments, tin wall signs, busts, decorative badges, water vessels, ornate vases, candlesticks, and tin foil art.
Tin in all forms have been used for recycled art with some of the most awesome metal art formed this way. Recyclable tin materials include bottle tops, sweet tins, food cans, and the like.
One of the least known but beautiful expressions of metal art are the tin artworks first produced in Mexico around the 16th century.
Because tin was not only available and inexpensive, it was light and malleable. This made it easy to shape, crimp, stamp, punch, and cut into a wide variety of decorative and functional artwork, and paint in pleasant colours.
Tin’s shiny surface that looks similar to silver is what likely contributes to its appeal for making art objects and sculptures, regardless of its tendency to rust.
3. Copper
Copper is a metal that is found in its pure state, just as silver, gold and tin and pre-dates iron in terms of its use. According to the history of art, most nations used copper extensively as materials to make coins, weapons, statues, décor, and household items.
It is also claimed that the ancient Egyptians used copper chisels hardened by a now unknown process to cut their granite.
This metal is used for both decorative and industrial arts and is favoured for its strength, durability, and its workability. The ease with which copper can be molded (it can be hammered or cast) into any desired shape or form makes it a useful and great metal to use for the following:
Hardware
Sculpture works
Wall art
Statues
Table ornaments
Vases and urns
Display pedestals
Lighting fixtures
Screens
Grilles
Kitchen utensils
Ethnic jewelry
Clocks
Jewelers combine copper with silver or gold to harden them for jewelry making. Copper is also alloyed with nickel and zinc to make beautiful pieces of German silver.
Because copper is very durable, it is used extensively for the production of small ornamental objects and for structural objects that can’t endure excessive strain.
Further Reading:
History of Decorative Metal Works
4. Bronze Metal Art
Nearly all the ancient civilizations used bronze in their art even as its discovery dates back to the time of the Sumerians around 3500 BC.
Harder than iron with anti-corrosive qualities, it is the most popular metal for cast metal sculptures and statues and was used mainly as Roman weapons of war in ancient times.
Bronze is strong and durable and can be cast with ease in the most intricate delicate patterns or imposing and magnificent forms, all in a great variety of colours, shapes, and styles. It is more popularly used than copper (and brass) to create metal ornaments, sculptures, statues, figurines, plates, chalices, and unique hardware.
The surface finish of bronze works are obtained by dipping the finished object into a 'bath' of various types of acid but the finishing results are only light veneers and soon wear off if the object is knocked about, handled too frequently, or exposed to harsh weather conditions.
Bronze artworks include:
Ancient Greece busts
Figurines
Religious vessels
Sculptures
Statues
Metal plates
Masks
Monumental castings
5. Brass Metal and Art
Brass was discovered much later than bronze, around 500 BC, and is a bright yellow tinted metal that can be polished to a high shine and because it tarnishes easily, it requires a high level of polishing to keep it looking bright and lustrous.
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