Swallow

The swallow is the bird that tells you summer has properly arrived, and David Meredith has captured it in one of those split-second poses — wings angled, tail forked, everything about it suggesting speed even when it's standing perfectly still. At 5cm tall it's one of the more upright pieces in the collection, and the 12.5 grams of solid bronze gives it a solidity that feels satisfyingly at odds with the lightness of the actual bird.

Foundry-cast and hand-finished. A lovely gift for anyone who counts the days until the first swallow of spring.

Height: 5 cm / 2" · Width: 3.2 cm / 1.25" · Depth: 3.2 cm / 1.25"

Please note that all our tiny bronzes are cast and finished by hand. This may mean that there are slight differences in the colour of the patina, and sometimes you may find small inconsistencies in the cast, e.g. a minuscule air bubble or slight abrasion marks where the finished castings have been fettled (a term meaning filing the sprue off the casting). These differences won't detract from the beauty of your miniature sculpture. If anything, they will show without a doubt that these pieces are all individually handmade.

Bronze Sculpture FAQs

How should I keep my miniature sculpture in tip top condition?

These tiny bronze sculptures are so easy to care for: they have been given a dark brown wax coating over their natural brassy colour, and will need nothing more than a gentle wipe with a soft cloth to keep the dust off.

What's the difference between foundry-cast and hot-cast?

Absolutely nothing. They're two different terms for the same thing: molten bronze is poured into a mould and left to cool before being removed and finished.

What about cold-cast, is that the same?

No, cold-casting is a different method, in which bronze powder is mixed with resin and poured into a moud to set. There is no heat involved, and the finished product is significantly lighter (and cheaper) than a foundry-cast bronze piece. At Alcove Art, all of our pieces are foundry-cast.

All images © 2026 Gill Pottle