The project aims to authenticate genuine bronze and is a tie-up between the Designers’ and Artists’ Copyright Society (DACS) in partnership with art verification service Verisart.
The scheme, called Bronzechain, was launched to bring regulation and protection to the bronze sculpture market. It will assist the public as well as dealers and auction houses in distinguishing genuine cast bronze created by an artist from imitations.
Bronzechain was developed following a conversation between DACS and the British sculptor Maurice Blik, who expressed concern around the number of fake bronzes on the market.
A bronze pour underway in Bronze Age Foundry in Limehouse, London.
Sculpture using the new Bronzechain technology, licensed by DACS to approved art foundries, will be stamped with a hallmark in the wax before casting. A digital certificate of authenticity will be recorded by DACS and stored using cryptography by art verification service Verisart.
Calvin Gomes, manager at Bronze Age Foundry, said: “It is our aim to help see the scheme adopted by all of the fine-art foundries in the UK and for artists casting their work in bronze to champion its use.”
An example of one of the Bronzechain certificates.
The project is now being promoted to fine-art foundries throughout the UK, who are encouraged to register with DACS to obtain a licence to use the hallmark.
The cost of the hallmarking and scheme is being funded by DACS and the foundries involved.
