SETTING-OUT
This artwork comprises a single monumental mason’s compass cast in Bronze which is frozen in the act of drawing out a stone spiral. It is sited beside and is seen from the main rail line to London and will act as a Gateway sculpture. FSE made each individual component for the caliper with each one welded on. As well as this the base is joined together to give the illustion that the pin is holding everything up. The title of the sculpture comes from the use of the masons’ compass in setting-out the drawings and templates for the fine stone work carried out by the craftsmen who used to work for Rattee and Kett. The compass sculpture has three main references. Firstly it makes a strong statement about the former use of the site as a centre of hand crafted stone excellence that has kept the Cambridge Colleges looking their best over the years.
The work also refers to Newton, the star Alumni of Cambridge University who was often depicted holding a compass as he mapped the movement of planets by artists such as William Blake and by Eduardo Paolozzi in his statue to Newton outside the British Library.
Lastly the compass is also such an elegant and familiar tool that has been used for thousands of years.
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University library
Working alongside renowned sculptor Harry Gray, FSE helped a memorable set of stacked books acting as parking bollards in gunmetal now situated in front of Cambridge university library remodeled in 2006. After casting the ‘bookstacks ‘ to the sculptors requirements FSE designed and fabricated and intricate bearing system allowing some parts of the heavy stacks to rotate to the designers requirements.
At FSE foundry we are proud to be able to be willing to go beyond normal casting requirements. Our skilled and multi-disciplinary workforce from diverse casting engineering backgrounds can often facilitate not only your casting but fully finished and working product.
Memorial Gates
Sculpted by Harry Gray , the Rose and Poppy Gates are dedicated to the memory of all rugby players who have served and died in conflicts around the world.
The gates were unveiled in April 2016, as part of the RFU’s programme of events to commemorate the centenary of the First World War.
The bronze gates depict roses, as worn by generations of English rugby internationals, gradually transforming into poppies – the universal symbol of commemoration.
There are 15 roses on each gate, modelled on those worn by the Grand Slam-winning England team of 1914. The poppies at the top of each gate are formed from actual shell-casings fired in anger during the 1914-18 conflict.
FSE received the sculpted molds from Harry Gray and copied the design to create resin boards so that it could be made into a Patten. As a result it is then block molded by our experienced team who have a range of knowledge on casting techniques. 
Zig Zag Building-Victoria Street, London SW1
FSE are known for their high economic and ecological standards that brings a new civic, sustainable aesthetic in the area of London. The panels were modeled on CAD design software to adjust the design further so that it’s perfect for the customer. Prior to manufacture a full scale mock up was created with the purpose of testing the panel fully. Bronze panels were polished and painted and then rubbed back and sealed to highlight the crest of each wave with LED spotlights concealed behind horizontal panel junctions. Kings Gate is part of a larger development project that includes The Zig Zag Building and a series of new urban spaces that open up pedestrian routes across Victoria Street.
Kings Gate Plaques
The ground and first floors of Kings Gate comprise a restaurant, bar, delicatessan, and café, above this there are 14 storeys of apartments accessed from a new public court between Kings Gate and Westminster City Hall. FSE cast a bronze signage plaque with raised lettering for the residential entrance, which was then polished and patinated on site to match the entrance door frame..
Please check out our portfolio tab, were we have a number of different projects we have undertaken, with information and photos.
Squarity Ltd – Double Stormtrooper
Ryan Callanan, owner of Squarity Limited (www.squarity.com), entered FSE Foundry holding what looked like a standard Star wars Stormtrooper figurine. This was soon to be seen as not the case as he turned it over to reveal the same again. What we had here was a double stormtrooper that he had fused together.
Using ‘petrobond’ moulding sand, resulting in fine detail to be reproduced and aiding in the surface finish for later finishing, 5 were made in Aluminium and 2 in High Tensile Brass. These were then mirror polished to form a great looking miniature sculpture.
Further work was carried out where we produced headless stormtroopers and separate helmets for future experiments of Ryan’s.
Wishbone Publishing – Trafalgar
FSE Foundry has helped Wishbone Publishing Ltd (www.wishboneart.co.uk) turn an artist’s print into a beautiful bronze sculpture. ‘Trafalgar’ is the first sculpture from one of the most collectable living British artists, JJ Adams. Following unprecedented critical and commercial acclaim for his mixed media original artworks, this bronze sculpture is the physical realisation of the Lion from his sold out ‘Nelson’s Column’ piece. As a sold out limited edition of 25 (with an RRP of £8800.00), collectors and galleries alike are keen for more sculptures following the incredible response to the craftsmanship, skill and finish involved in the creation and manufacturing process.
The sculpture was created in Silicon Bronze by the lost wax technique, producing the lion, Nelson and the three pigeons separately. These were then carefully added along with a base before the whole piece was finished with a dark patina.
Roz Barr Architects – Plaque and No.s
Manganese Nickel Brass Plaque and No.s with Satin polish highlight
FSE Foundry were asked to produce a commemorative plaque and 2 door numbers for ‘Martin Andrews House’. These were cast in Manganese Nickel Brass, which is widely used in drainage and grille application due to its good corrosion resistant properties. The tops of the letters and numbers were then highlighted to a satin polish. Threaded bars were cast into the back of the castings to aid in wall attachment.
City of London – Cappuccino Planters
FSE produced a pattern and casting in Gunmetal of a large Cappuccino planter with plaque, in the region of 250kg. This was then patinated and the plaque painted for the City of London.
From the City of London, Open Spaces Development:
‘The Bronze Planters were designed by the City of London and have been used to compliment a suite of other planters that the City currently uses. The choice of planter is very dependent on the location and hence why we have a suite of planters to choose from. Bronze was chosen due to its aesthetic look, its longevity, its weight and it’s ageing process which is found to be very attractive and suits many of the buildings here in the City. This particular planter was used here in our own Guildhall Yard where we currently have 10 bronze planters, one of which is the planter with the attached commemorative plaque. This particular planter was commissioned with this plaque, to commemorate the Ward Of Cheap Club’s 150th Anniversary, a ward within the City and the planter itself, is on the boundary line.’,
Bronze Tables – Private Member’s Club, London
FSE Foundry were commissioned to make a number of bronze tables. Initially they were going to be cast in 4 sections, welded together and dressed back to seem seamless. However, after some thought FSE Foundry were able to cast the piece in one, reducing additional work. 7 tables were cast in Gunmetal, each weighing approximately 30kg. Once cast and lightly fettled, each table was polished to a bright polish and are now situated in a Private Members Club, London.