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Dragon
Redding, Connecticut
Hand Forged Dragon
This dragon was inspired by a bronze vase made in Cambodia over 100 years ago. The vase had an Asian dragon crawling across the vessel that has now been converted into a lamp. The size of the finished dragon was 3' wide and 8' long it took approximately 3 months from the start of design to the installation. The steel armature was created from full size drawings and the scales were water jet cut. Each scale was textured hot and shaped to fit the curves of the armature then welded. The material was 1/8" solid steel hammered and textured to create the claws, horns whiskers and teeth. Once constructed the body was filled with exterior high zinc epoxy then allowed to drain. This procedure allowed for the epoxy to penetrate all the smallest of places. The exterior of the dragon was then also covered with the exterior high zinc epoxy primer. The finish ended up consisting of 4 colors of bronze and red metallic to achieve the life like scales you see in the finial picture. Then it was attached to the wall with stainless steel pins that were drilled into the stone, these pins were inside each foot so that they were not visible.
3' wide by 8' long dragon writhing down the wall
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Close up dragon head showing the detail in the claws, horns, whiskers and teeth
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Steel armiture
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details of scales and how they were welded to the frame
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Vase that inspired the dragon sculpture
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