Richard Cooper Bronze
The company started life to design and manufacture limited edition foundry bronze sculptures and collectibles. The founder, Richard Cooper, had previously owned Country Artists Ltd, of Stratford upon Avon. A company he had also founded. This was a successful company designing and manufacturing animals, birds and a wide collection of wildlife subjects from around the world. All the sculptures were made in resin and hand painted in sizes from miniature to life size.
When the company was sold in 2004 Richard was not ready to retire and decided to start a new venture in the same arena but in bronze rather than resin as the base material.
Initially, Richard decided to develop comparatively large sculptures of wildlife studies and figurative work suitable for art galleries in contrast to the smaller subjects from the previous company, which were sold to gift shops.
At this time, the gift shop was showing signs of becoming an endangered species as a new breed of shop was emerging. This new breed was more akin to a lifestyle shop selling instead of a large volume of collectable gifts, products more functional and useful for the home . The days of the “collectable” were effectively over.
It became apparent as the bronzes were being offered to the art galleries that there was a appetite for smaller products of a broader nature, rather similar to the work of Country Artists but in the lasting material of bronze. It was also noticed that jewellers were attracted to the bronze material, possibly because of the neutral colour of the metal, and the way it complemented the more striking colours found in the jewellery shop.
Two new markets had opened for the company in the form of the art gallery and the jewellery shop.
Richard has always found the early formulative days of a business to be the most exciting-the days prior to any success, when the structure of the product range and the market are relatively unknown. The company started just with Richard doing everything from answering the phone to packing the orders, and typing the invoices (with one finger!).
Very soon it became apparent that this approach was not sustainable. This realisation coincided with the introduction of Sophie Mackrell, who had worked at Country Artists, deciding she wanted a change of scene, and joining the embryo company. Sophie’s great talent rests with her creative skills, which proved invaluable in focussing the developing collection whilst taking over a wide assortment of tasks.
Showing 1–9 of 39 results
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Vantage Point by Richard Cooper Bronze
£215.00Vantage Point by Richard Cooper Bronze
This magnificent Stag is made in solid foundry bronze using the ancient method of lost wax casting. The design is finished by the art of patination where various acids are applied to the surface …
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Waiting for the Guns by Richard Cooper Bronze
£295.00Waiting for the Guns by Richard Cooper Bronze
This stunning sculpture is made in solid foundry bronze using the ancient method of lost wax casting. The design finished by the art of patination where various acids are applied to the …
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Watchful by Richard Cooper Bronze
£335.00Watchful by Richard Cooper Bronze
To help maintain body temperature, these three adolescents huddle on a remote branch. Michael Simpson has depicted this typical pose adopted by Barn Owls in cold weather. The restricted edition size is 95 pieces. It -
Water Meadow by Richard Cooper Bronze
£255.00Water Meadow by Richard Cooper Bronze
This energetic bronze of an Otter swimming through the undergrowth of a fast flowing river capturers both the elegance and grace of this elusive creature. Michael Simpson not only crafts the Otter with extraordinary … -
Waterside (Kingfisher) by Richard Cooper Bronze
£130.00Waterside (Kingfisher) by Richard Cooper Bronze
This elegant design of a Kingfisher silently perching on pampas with the leaf tips trailing in the stream, is an exquisite little work of art! The distinctive dagger-like bill and delicate feathers have been … -
Westie Pair Playing by Richard Cooper Bronze
£48.00Westie Pair Playing by Richard Cooper Bronze
This adorable duo is made in solid foundry bronze using the ancient method of lost wax casting. The design finished by the art of patination where various acids are applied to the surface … -
Where the River Runs – Otter Swimming by Richard Cooper Bronze
£180.00Where the River Runs – Otter Swimming by Richard Cooper Bronze
This stunning Otter design is made in solid foundry bronze using the ancient method of lost wax casting. The design finished by the art of patination where various … -
Whippet Standing by Richard Cooper Bronze
£130.00Whippet Standing by Richard Cooper Bronze
There is something extraordinarily elegant in this breed. They are fashion models of the canine world, with their elegant lines and aerodynamic profile. They will run at great speed, chasing anything that moves, and -
Wild Strawberries by Richard Cooper Bronze
£48.00Wild Strawberries by Richard Cooper Bronze
These wild strawberries are made in solid foundry bronze using the ancient method of lost wax casting. The design finished by the art of patination where various acids are applied to the surface of
