"bronze" blog posts

How Gogglehead got his gleam backGogglehead half done (detail)

How Gogglehead got his gleam back

Larger than life, this disembodied head with its sardonic grin has been a VG&M visitor favourite for years. But most didn’t realise that his sunglasses were nowhere near as shiny as they should be. This is the story of how Gogglehead got his gleam back.

Posted on: 3 September 2021

More than just a Cheeky BumThe Sluggard Close Up

More than just a Cheeky Bum

In recent weeks a particular part of one of our sculptures has been getting a lot of attention: its buttocks. They have featured in the Liverpool Echo and on various social media platforms including one called @museumbums (yes, really …). But there is more to ‘The Sluggard’ than its pert behind, so let’s get to the bottom of the story.

Posted on: 16 October 2020

Mermaid, 1933 By Herbert Tyson Smith (1883 – 1972) Bronze mermaid sculpture preening herself looking in a mirror about 25 cm's high by Herbert Tyson Smith (1883 - 1972)

Mermaid, 1933 By Herbert Tyson Smith (1883 – 1972)

This aquatic beauty is one of my favourite items in the VG&M collection and would look lovely preening herself on my mantlepiece at home. The sculptor, Herbert Tyson Smith, patinated the bronze very cleverly so her burnished figure seems to emerge from a verdigris sea foam. Mermaid’s back arches and with her tail forms an arabesque as she gazes at herself in a mirror whilst combing her hair. Her striking art deco styling is typical of Tyson Smith’s later work although he is better known for his architectural sculpture adorning buildings around the North West region.

Posted on: 12 June 2020