insetting metal into stone
a decorative art
Over the past few years, we have had a large number of projects come through the factory where we set metal into stone.
Rona Smith - New Burlington Mews, London
Some of these are larger scale than others: Rona Smith’s “An Age, An Instant”, where patinated bronze was inset into routed Portland Stone, and friezes for Julian Opie in the same material are two of the larger examples of this type of work, but the process is the same whatever the size and complexity. We route out the stone and cut the metal on our waterjet machines then drop it into the stone to sit flush with the surface.
Julian Opie - Citizen M, London
We have also carried out commissions for the Temperate House at Kew Gardens, where we fabricated the plaque that was unveiled by David Attenborough in Zimbabwe Black granite with stainless-steel lettering.
And others for private clients, such as this compass rose fabricated for a private residence where patinated bronze was inset into Portland stone which was then placed into the floor.
This very ornate W in natural bronze, rather than patinated, inset into limestone for use on an internal wall.
Elsewhere we have done similar work on floors such as this private residence in Windlesham, Surrey where steel was set into porcelain slabs to form a circular pattern.