Anne Whitney Fountain Restoration – Child with Calla Lily Leaves
Buccacio Sculpture Services recently completed the restoration of the historic Child with Calla Lily Leaves bronze fountain, a significant piece of public art originally created by pioneering 19th-century artist Anne Whitney.
The bronze sculpture was first installed in 1903 on the small traffic island at the corner of Chestnut and Highland Streets in West Newton, Massachusetts. The fountain was later 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 historic property recognized as a City of Newton Local Landmark.
Anne Whitney is best known for her monumental sculptures, including statues honoring Founding Father Samuel Adams outside Faneuil Hall and anti-slavery Senator Charles Sumner in Harvard Square. Her work reflected her dedication to social justice and equality, making the preservation of this fountain an important part of the community’s history.
Historic Bronze Fountain Restoration
Following a detailed assessment of the fountain’s condition, Buccacio Sculpture Services identified significant patina loss from the previous restoration completed in 1995 by Bob Shure of Skylight Studios and Paul Cavanagh of Paul King Foundry.
Paul Cavanagh previously removed and transported the fountain to his facility, where multiple missing bronze elements were recreated and restored, including the cherub wings and several calla lily leaves. The fountain was then sealed and waxed to preserve its renewed finish before being returned to its location.
For the most recent restoration, the Buccacio Sculpture Services team carefully cleaned the historic bronze surface and evaluated the best approach for preserving the original artwork. Due to the condition of the sculpture, removing previous base layers of patina was not required.
The bottom plate containing the pump house was removed and brought back to the Buccacio studio, where a rubber mold and plaster cast were created. A new bronze casting of the plate was fabricated and installed as part of the restoration process to properly access the pump house fittings.
The team then completed:
- A thorough cleaning of the original bronze surface
- Reapplication of the Verde Green patina originally applied by Paul Cavanagh in 1995
- Two coats of Incralac protective sealer
- Two applications of tinted wax to help preserve the finished surface
Preserving Historic Art for Future Generations
While restoring this important West Newton landmark, the Buccacio Sculpture Services team was welcomed by members of the surrounding community who expressed their appreciation for seeing the cherished cherub fountain restored.
Projects like the Anne Whitney Fountain restoration represent the craftsmanship and dedication behind every Buccacio Sculpture Services project. From creating new works of fine art to preserving historic pieces created by previous generations of artisans, BSS continues to follow the traditions and techniques of the masters of the trade.
With over 25 years of collaboration and mentorship from respected artisans such as Bob Shure and Paul Cavanagh, Buccacio Sculpture Services brings extensive experience in fine art sculpture, bronze casting, and historic sculpture restoration.
Buccacio Sculpture Services specializes in custom fine art sculpture, non-ferrous metal casting, and restoration projects of all sizes. Contact our team to discuss your upcoming sculpture restoration or custom fabrication project.