old iron buddha statue

[gingercatni]

I have just bought an old iron Buddha statue. I like iron statues simply because they tend to be much older and mark the switch to bronze that we see today. However iron rusts and the statue has flaky gold paint on its face. I can do one of two things, repaint the statue with an iron paint or seal the iron in a wax base stopping it rusting, anyone think of which sounds better? I don't want to ruin an old statue.

[daverupa]

1. Let it rust.
2. See anicca.
3. ???
4. Profit

[adeh]

Paint it....

[gingercatni]

i might just paint it, still undecided! i'm not going to profit on it or anything by selling it, it's strictly for my home shrine, plus it looks as it was part of a large statue once it a buddha head not statue should have made that clear! I might get the gold paint and do a test on something else and see what it looks like when the paint is dry, otherwise just clean and preserve.

[kiwi]

3??? maybe you could get it sandblasted first, then seal or paint the outside .

[Ben]

If the statue is an antique rather than a modern replica made to look old, it might be worthwhile consulting with a conservator with a large museum in your state or provincial capital city. Phone ahead first and make an appointment. The person may also be able to give you some advice over the phone and/or point you towards other resources.
All the best,

Ben

[Viscid]

Let it rust. Buddha needn't be pretty.

[Bonsai Doug]

Let it rust = impermanence.

[pilgrim]

Preserve the natural iron look. Spray it over with varnish.

[unspoken]

if it's place outside, let it rust. If it's inside, paint it, just in case if the statue got a broken spot and someone accidentally got a cut by it

[gingercatni]

i think i will just paint the face I would like to preserve it as I restored the Buddha statue I have in my shrine and I plan to bequeath it to my local museum in my will as it's over 100 years old. I know nothing can last forever, but I like trying to preserve things for other people to see. When it arrives I'll post pics of the progress.