At Buccacio Sculpture Services (BSS), we take great pride in preserving historic works of art for future generations. Our recent restoration of Anne Whitney’s Child with Calla Lily Leaves fountain in West Newton, Massachusetts, is a perfect example of the craftsmanship and care that goes into every restoration project we undertake.
Originally installed in 1903 on the small traffic island at the corner of Chestnut and Highland Streets, the bronze fountain was created by pioneering 19th-century artist Anne Whitney. Whitney is best known for her monumental sculptures of Founding Father Samuel Adams outside Faneuil Hall and anti-slavery Senator Charles Sumner in Harvard Square.
The fountain was erected in West Newton to honor the life of Catherine Porter Lambert, a close friend of Anne Whitney. The Lambert family lived nearby at 128 Chestnut Street, a home built in 1854 that is now recognized as a City of Newton Local Landmark. Like Whitney, the Lamberts were deeply committed to the abolition movement and social justice.
Following Buccacio Sculpture Services’ restoration, the community gathered for a re-dedication ceremony on May 30, 2026. The event was covered by Fig City News, highlighting the restoration and the fountain’s historical significance.
Evaluating the Historic Bronze Fountain
After completing a thorough assessment of the fountain, it became clear that significant patina loss had occurred since the previous restoration completed in 1995.
Before:
After:
That restoration was led by Bob Shure of Skylight Studios and Paul Cavanagh of Paul King Foundry. To this day, Paul and Bob remain close friends, mentors, and an important part of our foundry family at Buccacio Sculpture Services. Their dedication to the craft continues to inspire the work we do today.
During the 1995 restoration, Paul Cavanagh removed and transported the fountain to his facility, where he recreated and restored several missing bronze elements, including the cherub’s wings and multiple calla lily leaves. Once completed, the fountain was sealed and waxed before being reinstalled.
Our Restoration Process
For the latest restoration, three members of the Buccacio Sculpture Services restoration team traveled to the site to carefully evaluate and clean the fountain. Because the bronze surface remained in good structural condition, removing previous base layers of patina was not required.
The bottom plate housing the pump system was removed and transported to our studio, where a rubber mold and plaster cast were created. Using those molds, we fabricated a new bronze casting of the plate to properly access the pump house fittings before reinstalling it.
Our team then completed a thorough cleaning of the bronze surface and reapplied the original Verde Green patina first created by Paul Cavanagh during the 1995 restoration. To protect the finish, we applied two coats of Incralac sealer followed by two generous coats of tinted wax.
Preserving History Through Craftsmanship
One of the most rewarding parts of this project was hearing from members of the West Newton community throughout the restoration process. Many neighbors stopped to thank our team for restoring their beloved cherub fountain, reminding us why preserving public art is so meaningful.
Having collaborated with Paul Cavanagh and Bob Shure for more than 25 years, Buccacio Sculpture Services has had the privilege of learning from true masters of the trade. Those experiences continue to shape the craftsmanship and attention to detail we bring to every sculpture restoration, bronze casting, and fine art fabrication project.
Whether restoring historic landmarks like the Anne Whitney Fountain or completing large-scale projects such as the Beechwood Grand Fountain restoration, our goal remains the same: to preserve important works of art while honoring the artisans who created them.
Beechwood Grand Fountain
Looking for Sculpture Restoration Services?
Buccacio Sculpture Services specializes in custom fine art sculpture, non-ferrous metal casting, and historic sculpture restoration projects of every size. Whether you’re restoring a cherished public monument, repairing a bronze sculpture, or commissioning a custom work of art, our experienced team is ready to help.
Contact Buccacio Sculpture Services today to discuss your next sculpture restoration or fine art casting project.