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The Colouring, Bronzing and Patination of Metals Hardcover – February 1, 1991

by Richard Hughes (Author), Michael Rowe (Author)
4.6 out of 5 stars 127 ratings
The techniques of metal colouring, bronzing and patination are assuming a new importance in contemporary fine metalwork and design. Richard Hughes and Michael Rowe have assembled and tested the recipes included in this book, which is the most comprehensive work on the subject currently available, an essential reference and sourcebook for practitioners and all those involved in sculpture, architecture, design and the decorative arts. It brings together hundreds of recipes and treatments previously scattered in a variety of old books and technical papers, and provides the artist-craftsman with a very wide range of coloured finishes.



Each of the recipes included has been tested and evaluated by the authors, and the practical procedures involved are clearly explained. In addition, they have devised techniques that considerably broaden the range of surface finishes that can be obtained.



The metals covered are bronze and yellow brass in cast form; copper, gilding metal, yellow brass and silver in sheet form; and silver-plate and copper-plate. The book is easy to use; all the recipes are classified according to the colour and surface finish they produce on each metal. Colour illustrations show over 200 examples of finishes as test pieces of metal, or as cast or spun bowls. Notes accompanying each recipe draw attention to potentially dangerous processes or chemicals, and to the correct safety precautions. Safety procedures in general are covered thoroughly in a separate section.



Detailed information on practical workshop methods and how to avoid any problems that may be encountered is given in sections on the various techniques. A glossary of archaic chemical terms and their modem equivalents is included. An historical introduction outlines the various metalworking traditions with which the use of colouring techniques is associated. An extensive bibliography gives over 400 references of historical, practical and theoretical interest.
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  1. Print length
    372 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    Watson-Guptill
  4. Publication date
    February 1, 1991
  5. Dimensions
    8.52 x 1.42 x 11.5 inches
  6. ISBN-10
    0823007626
  7. ISBN-13
    978-0823007622
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Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Richard Hughes studied industrial design at the Royal College of Art, London, and philosophy at the University of Surrey. He has worked as a designer and as a lecturer at Brunel University and a number of colleges of art and design, and first became involved in fine metalworking as a visiting lecturer at Camberwell College of Arts, where he worked jointly with Michael Rowe. He was most recently Director of Postgraduate Studies in industrial design at the Central Saint Martins College of Art and Design, London Institute, until his appointment in 1990 as Dean of Art History and Conservation at Camberwell College of Arts. Michael Rowe is an artist and designer. He studied silversmithing and design at High Wycombe College of Art and at the Royal College of Art, London. He has been using colouring and patinating techniques for a number of years and his work has been exhibited internationally and is represented in public and museum collections in Britain, Europe and Australia. He was a visiting tutor at the Royal College of Art, Camberwell College of Arts and Buckinghamshire College of Higher Education until 1984 when he was appointed Course Leader in Metalwork and Jewellery at the Royal College of Art in London.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Watson-Guptill; First Edition (February 1, 1991)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 372 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0823007626
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0823007622
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 3.65 pounds
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 8.52 x 1.42 x 11.5 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.6 out of 5 stars 127 ratings

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4.6 out of 5 stars
127 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find the book encyclopedic and loaded with information, with several beautiful color plates throughout. Moreover, they appreciate the variety of recipes, with one customer noting over 1000 distinct patina formulas. Additionally, the book offers good value for money.

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17 customers mention "Information value"17 positive0 negative

Customers find the book to be encyclopedic and loaded with information, with one customer specifically highlighting its comprehensive coverage of patination techniques.

"...All I must say, this book it's encyclopedia about patina. It got any information that you need for work with patina on bronze, copper, brass, silver..." Read more

"...I would consider this book an excellent source for information on just about any color patina you are looking for on silver, bronze, brass or copper..." Read more

"...chip photos, over 1000 distinct patina formulas and an incredible bibliography as esoteric and overly demanding in terms of chemistry and technique,..." Read more

"This book has a wealth of information. It can be a little difficult to navigate, but its all there...." Read more

10 customers mention "Color accuracy"10 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the book's color accuracy, with several beautiful color plates included, and one customer noting that the formulas align with the color images.

"...Very nice historical part. Perfect part about colouring techniques. Seriously thousands of recipes for any type of application...." Read more

"...There are several beautiful color plates, but not nearly as many as there are colors that are given...." Read more

"Beautiful book, irreplaceable info. I saw this years ago at a price of over $100 and balked, but I should have bought it then...." Read more

"...Detailed instructions and well illustrated...." Read more

3 customers mention "Value for money"3 positive0 negative

Customers find the book offers good value for money.

"...Never seen so many tips and descriptions in one place. Extreme good value for money!" Read more

"Worth the price..." Read more

"Best I could find for the price...." Read more

3 customers mention "Variety of recipes"3 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the variety of recipes in the book, with one mentioning over 1000 distinct patina formulas.

"...Perfect part about colouring techniques. Seriously thousands of recipes for any type of application...." Read more

"...descriptions, over 250 high quality patina chip photos, over 1000 distinct patina formulas and an incredible bibliography as esoteric and overly..." Read more

"...actual patina information, receipes, and the methods in producing so many different patinas." Read more

Top reviews from the United States

  • Amazon Customer
    5.0 out of 5 stars The Patina Bible
    Reviewed in the United States on August 15, 2019
    Verified Purchase
    I'm professionally working with patina on metals for 4 years. And I was reading tons of literature regarding the topic. All I must say, this book it's encyclopedia about patina. It got any information that you need for work with patina on bronze, copper, brass, silver and gilding metal. Very nice historical part. Perfect part about colouring techniques. Seriously thousands of recipes for any type of application.
    Well, the only one problem is the pictures and samples, but seriously, how can you put like 1000 samples in one.book? So it's no biggie.
    Highly recommended for everyone who work with patina on metals!
    One person found this helpful
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  • Garage Rat
    5.0 out of 5 stars Wealth of information
    Reviewed in the United States on July 10, 2008
    Verified Purchase
    I could read for hours and hours about the different colors that are discussed is this book. I would consider this book an excellent source for information on just about any color patina you are looking for on silver, bronze, brass or copper. There are several beautiful color plates, but not nearly as many as there are colors that are given. I am also very interested in specifics and would have like to have seen some color photos of the processes in action, but, I am now just making my own. Anyway, it is a great book and I am glad to have it in my collection.
    One person found this helpful
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  • cognitdiss
    5.0 out of 5 stars Too nice for the studio, too useful for the library.
    Reviewed in the United States on April 21, 2003
    Verified Purchase
    Beautiful book, irreplaceable info. I saw this years ago at a price of over $100 and balked, but I should have bought it then. If you are a committed bronze artist/ crafts person and you want to get good patinas you will eventually buy this book, as it is the only one in print that is top notch in sophistication and comprehensiveness. Some might think this book with it's great technique descriptions, over 250 high quality patina chip photos, over 1000 distinct patina formulas and an incredible bibliography as esoteric and overly demanding in terms of chemistry and technique, but the rest will consider it priceless. Best patination book in print, possibly the best ever.
    48 people found this helpful
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  • Jazz Guy
    4.0 out of 5 stars Heavy going but….
    Reviewed in the United States on October 29, 2013
    Verified Purchase
    This book has a wealth of information. It can be a little difficult to navigate, but its all there. I would like to have seen many more coloured plates (examples of metal patinations and some of the set ups etc) for the cost though.
    The price tag will put many off, but it is a fully loaded publication, and a great tech ref book.
    2 people found this helpful
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  • K. Jarosch
    5.0 out of 5 stars Good source of information
    Reviewed in the United States on October 12, 2019
    Verified Purchase
    Great source of information on patination. Detailed instructions and well illustrated. Of course, results vary based on the alloy you apply to and the surface state of the metal (alloy composition, annealed, quenched, grit blasted, polished etc.) so testing on a sample prior to using on a piece is recommended. Regardless, this book gives you a great foundation to get going.
    2 people found this helpful
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  • RK
    5.0 out of 5 stars Serious patinas
    Reviewed in the United States on February 22, 2013
    Verified Purchase
    A must for those that look for an elusive new patina to compliment a new creation. The list of patinas and the formulas are a bit overwhelming at first, as if you were choosing the first chocolate in the box! Many of the patinas are not for "home" artists, as some of the materials require strict safety measures. But, there are many to choose from for all types of metals. In fact, I truly appreciate that the patinas are sorted by metals and the formulas follow the color images.
    One person found this helpful
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  • David C. Brayton
    3.0 out of 5 stars Encyclopeadic? Yes. Very useful? Kinda.
    Reviewed in the United States on October 3, 2005
    Verified Purchase
    This book is encyclopeadic--there are at least a thousand recipes. But only about 1 in 4 has a color picture to show the results. I'm sorry, but color pictures are a must. The word descriptions simply don't suffice, especially when one is looking for a very partcular look.

    Contrary to what other reviewers have said, there are only sixteen pages of color photos in the book.

    A lot of the recipes should only be attempted by persons that are very safety conscious. Some recipes contain strong acids or strong oxidizers that must be stored and used correctly.

    The metals covered are: bronze, brass, copper, gilding metal (aka red brass 90% Cu, 10% Zn) yellow.
    62 people found this helpful
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  • Tipti
    5.0 out of 5 stars For metalworkers
    Reviewed in the United States on October 14, 2013
    Verified Purchase
    Comprehensive and large. Very good book for one who works with non-ferrous metals. Never seen so many tips and descriptions in one place. Extreme good value for money!
    One person found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

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  • Mark R
    5.0 out of 5 stars Great Resource! Exactly As Described
    Reviewed in Canada on February 11, 2022
    Verified Purchase
    Fast shipping - product as described - very pleased with my purchase!
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  • Ultron
    5.0 out of 5 stars absolutes MUSS für den Skulpturen Bauer ....
    Reviewed in Germany on October 4, 2013
    Verified Purchase
    In meiner Freizeit gieße ich Bronze und Silberskulpturen.
    Immer wieder war das Problem: Wie bekomme ich eine gute Patina auf die Skulptur ?
    Nach vielen Selbsterprobungen, Rezepte aus Foren etc wollte ich schon mutlos aufgeben, bis mir dieses Buch über den Weg lief. Die Autoren haben in hunderten von Versuchen verschiedenste Rezepte zum färben von Metallen getestet, die Metalle auf Bildtafeln fotografiert und das entsprechende Rezept dann mit aufgelistet.
    ACHTUNG: Die Säuren und Oxidanten, die für viele Rezepte nötig sind, werden oft nur an gewerbliche Kunden mit Endverbleibsnachweis ausgeliefert.
    Man muss sich im klaren sein, das man mit agressiven Chemikalien hantiert - also nichts für die Büroküche!
    Bitte peinlichst genau Schutzbekleidung, Entsorgung und Sicherheitsdatenblätter konsultieren.
    Wenn das alles verstanden ist, dann ist dieses Buch ein seltenes Kompendium für den Modellbauer, Metallwerker, Metallgiesser usw.
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  • Robert McNaught
    5.0 out of 5 stars Nicely presented book on the subject at hand
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on June 26, 2021
    Verified Purchase
    Book is a good source of information on the subject it covers and I look forward to using it more as I develop my need too.
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  • Javier Malavia
    5.0 out of 5 stars perfecto
    Reviewed in Spain on February 9, 2017
    Verified Purchase
    Perfecto para poder hacer pruebas de patinas , tal vez faltarían fotos con pruebas con distintas texturas en las superficies del bronce
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  • Cliente Amazon
    5.0 out of 5 stars Favoloso
    Reviewed in Italy on August 16, 2017
    Verified Purchase
    Mi è stato consigliato dai docenti del corso di metallurgia per un mio esperimento, il libro contiene molte "ricette" per ottenere diverse "colorazioni" per diversi tipi di metalli, il libro è in inglese ma basta una minima conoscenza della lingua per capire il contenuto mentre per applicare le ricette ovviamente ci vuole una certa conoscenza della chimica, fatto sta che le ricette funzionano ampiamente da come si può vedere nella foto
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    5.0 out of 5 stars
    Favoloso

    Reviewed in Italy on August 16, 2017
    Mi è stato consigliato dai docenti del corso di metallurgia per un mio esperimento, il libro contiene molte "ricette" per ottenere diverse "colorazioni" per diversi tipi di metalli, il libro è in inglese ma basta una minima conoscenza della lingua per capire il contenuto mentre per applicare le ricette ovviamente ci vuole una certa conoscenza della chimica, fatto sta che le ricette funzionano ampiamente da come si può vedere nella foto
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