Think about the last time you saw a nameplate. Maybe it was hanging under a painting of a public figure at a government office. Perhaps it was adorning a sculpture of a sports legend at your nearby arena. You may even find nameplates in places as simple and every day as a desk to denote whom it belongs to. Have you ever put any thought into the reasoning behind nameplates and how they are made? Nameplates are a valuable way to make sure that those worthy of recognition are able to stand apart and share their names and accomplishments with the world. However, they’re also an art form. Bronze has been used since 4500 BC, which we’ll cover more on later in the post. The purpose of a bronze nameplate may vary from person to person, but each and every one is used to showcase ownership, position, or the standing of a person. They are handcrafted and customized with the specific information, and no two will be completely alike.

Bronze nameplates are a way to showcase a classic, elegant, and practical look in your space. Used for centuries, bronze is a recognized element that lends itself to be used in a variety of different ways and by a variety of people. Nameplates can help you fulfill your mission in honoring someone, remembering someone who has passed, or showcasing someone that is special to a certain organization. East Point Foundry has been creating these nameplates since 1948, focused on giving consumers the professionalism and class they are seeking to display. At East Point Foundry, each nameplate is handcrafted based on the customer’s need, making it our goal to meet the expectations you had in mind when searching for the perfect nameplate.

In this post, we’ll cover anything and everything related to bronze nameplates. From the history of bronze to the various uses and occasions for bronze nameplates, we’ll take a deep dive into their importance and why they are so versatile. Not only is bronze chosen for its resistance to rust and corrosion, but it also has a regal yet traditional appearance, thanks to its well-known color. The next time you see a bronze nameplate adorning a wall or a desk, take a closer look. Look at the colors, the design, and the intricacy that went into making it. Look at the details that set it apart from others. Think about all the places you’ve found one before. Some might even surprise you!

Before we dive in, it’s important to know the basics about what bronze is and how it is made. First and foremost, bronze is an alloy. This means that it is a metal that was created by combining two or more metallic elements. Though alloys are made of metals, they have different properties than their original metals because of this combination. The largest component of bronze is copper, and the other metals can vary between tin, arsenic, aluminum, silicon, and manganese to produce a new alloy. Because it is a combination of copper and another chemical component, bronze was created to be harder than its base, copper. Bronze has been around for much longer than we may realize, and conveniently became a metal that was hard and sturdy to be used for many practical items.

Bronze is used in sculptures, medals, musical instruments, nameplates, and other metal work. You may see plaques with images or words on them made of bronze as well. Because bronze is resistant to corrosion, it can be used in areas near or in water. Because of its unique properties, it is resistant to rust which makes it a suitable choice for items that need to be around or displayed for a good length of time. Bronze is often most easily recognized by its dull yellow-brown color. You might even know the word “bronze” as a word used to describe a color! Most notably, perhaps, is the use of bronze for the third place medal in games such as the Olympics. In fact, the first Olympic medal made of bronze was in 1904 in the summer Olympics of that year. Still, to this day, bronze is used to denote winners in addition to the gold and silver medals.

It may feel crazy to think about the fact that something that we still use today has been around for so long. With new technology, it’s often hard to imagine a world where things like tools and decorations were all made by hand. Metals, which are naturally occurring elements, have long been used across the world. In fact, bronze was used as early as 4500 BC, as archeologists have found pieces of bronze dating back to 4500 BC at sites in Serbia. Regardless of how many years have passed, the items discovered could still be viewed and studied to determine the history of the world and how people adapted over time.

You may be familiar with the time of history referred to as the “Bronze Age,” which took place around 3300 BC. This time occurred when bronze began to replace other tools made of stone. People found the effectiveness of using metal, though it took a lot of work to form, instead of using things like stones, wood, and other commonly used materials. Bronze was used for everything from jewelry to tools, and people got more and more creative with the use of bronze as time went on. It was also commonly used for armor and helmets along with weapons during this period of time to protect soldiers in battle due to its hardness. This Bronze Age wasn’t classified by the use of bronze in just one part of the world, however. Remains of bronze items dating back to this time period have been found in Europe as well as in Asia. It is incredible to think that the use of this alloy metal was done by so many across the world. Bronze was also used for decoration and other forms of art.

To this day, bronze is still cast to create the intended shapes or designs. To create bronze, copper and the other metal, most commonly tin, is melted together and mixed. The two combine and create liquid bronze, which can then be molded into the intended shapes and designs. To cast, the use of sand and/or clay molds are used to pour the liquid bronze into and then wait for the liquid to harden. After it is hardened, it can be sharpened if needed. Bronze can be made into a wide array of different objects, including bronze nameplates.

As previously mentioned, you may begin to notice bronze nameplates more and more as you become aware of their existence. Bronze nameplates are very simple in their appearance. Some may have a darker background and then have the words in a more true bronze. Depending on the intention of the nameplate and the design, they can be either very intricate or very simple. They are created through taking a piece of bronze and etching in the design, or the name, and then utilizing a type of protectant put over the design. Once the design is placed and protected, the metal is dipped into an acidic formula that destroys the parts that are exposed.

This has the effect of creating an appearance of two levels of a nameplate. The bottom level is either smooth or slightly textured, and usually slightly darker, while the name and/or title is more prominently sticking up to be read and is a lighter bronze. This process can be done in multiple ways, with the acid etching being the more traditional method. In current times, there are also methods to etch these designs using electric currents as well as using photo-etching, which uses polymer plates. The history of bronze nameplates has certainly evolved throughout the ages. However, bronze nameplates are still present just about everywhere you look.

Bronze nameplates can be found in all different types of buildings. They come in a variety of sizes and can have the names of one person or of many. They have an air of professionalism and class that is hard to mimic with other materials. As we continue to journey through the use of bronze nameplates, we’ll cover some common uses for bronze nameplates and why they make important and welcome additions.

Think of the most beautiful church or place of worship you’ve stepped foot into. When you look around, what do you see? Do you see depictions of various saints and deities? For example, in many Catholic churches, you may find yourself surrounded by beautiful stained glass art portraying saints. You might notice paintings or other portrays of people whose name you read about in the bible. What you also might see is often underneath these art pieces. Bronze nameplates are commonly used to showcase the name of the person or saint that is being portrayed. Bronze nameplates are an easy way for churches or places of worship to distinguish between different people portrayed among their walls.

Bronze nameplates can also be used in places of worship to denote donors that have given time or resources to the church. Heads of worship, such as priests, bishops, and other figures may also be portrayed on the wall on a plaque or with a photo. Accompanying these wall hangings are bronze nameplates to share the name and position of the person of honor. Nameplates are a way to honor each person the church or place of worship chooses to honor, showcasing their name in a way that makes them valued and honored.  Another use of bronze nameplates in the church or place of worship is on plaques lining the wall to distinguish the book of the bible or other small details that are important to the donors, saints, or the church in particular. Lastly, bronze nameplates can be used to showcase the names of congressional members who have passed away.

Walking through the sports complex at a college or school, you can usually look around and see photos, plaques, or sculptures of figures important and unique to the place. If a sports legend began their time in sports at that school or college, you might see their photo displayed proudly. Underneath photos are bronze nameplates with the athlete’s name and graduation year. You might also see sculptures of athletes at their hometown sports complex, stadium, or school. Attached to these sculptures, you’ll often find bronze nameplates with their name and the necessary information to make sure they are recognizable.

To have a bronze nameplate as an athlete is an honor. Whether the nameplate is to honor them or to remember them, it is often seen as a way to showcase their talent and show the love of those who cheered them on. This also might be the case for donated sports fields, complexes, and other important recognition that is given to famous athletes who are leaving behind their legacy.

Whether it is local government or the federal government, bronze nameplates can be found adorning the walls and desks of these prestigious places. To denote members of the government, you may find a nameplate in a place as simple as on their desk, which we will discuss further below. Nameplates can also be found in local government buildings to recognize and denote important and influential members who have photos on the walls or sculptures throughout. The government may also choose to honor fallen military members with nameplates either for the family of the member or as a memorial addition. Bronze nameplates can also be used to adorn awards given to select officials and military members by the government.

Perhaps not as commonly seen, bronze nameplates can be used to put outside of a house, on a fence, or anywhere on the personal property. Bronze nameplates are often used on housing to showcase the name of the family that lives there or when they were established. Bronze nameplates may also showcase the house number or include part of the house address to be used by mail delivery or other delivery services. While this use of nameplates is mostly aesthetic, it is also a practical and reliable place to showcase who lives there and where they are located. In a more modern way, bronze nameplates for houses are now offered in magazines or marketplaces that sell personalized objects to give as gifts or buy for your own home. These make great housewarming gifts or marketplaces that sell personalized objects to give as gifts or buy for your own home. These make great housewarming gifts or are perfect ways to mark a new marriage.

This example is a more practical, day-to-day example as it might be something you see each day. If you work in an office, or visit with an employee who does, you may find a bronze nameplate used to show ownership of the desk. The nameplates are used to show not only who sits behind it, but are also used as a way to distinguish people in their positions. Nameplates on desks usually include both the person’s full name as well as their title within the company or organization. While bronze nameplates are more common on the desks of people in more prestigious positions, they are accessible to anyone who wants one. They bring the classic, professional look to offices and are valued and loved by their namesakes.

You can see bronze nameplates adorning the desk of many types of employees. Even in movies and on television, you might notice nameplates during scenes that take place in a business environment. Nameplates on desks are a way to show success as well, as they often are on the desk of someone who is in a managerial role or who has a lot of exposure to the public. Common professions that you may see bronze nameplates created for include government officials, lawyers, doctors, and professors.

While choosing a way to remember someone through their headstone or other burial marker is a sad reality, it can be viewed as a beautiful opportunity to let their memory live on. There are so many beautiful options to remember a loved one when choosing their headstone or burial marker. A bronze nameplate can adorn a headstone with their name and years of life, or it can be placed onto a bench or other structure of choice. In addition to the name of the person who has passed, bronze nameplates can also be made larger to account for other family members who might be buried in the same area. You may also have the nameplate adorned with an inspirational quote or memories of the person who has passed depending on what the loved ones request the nameplate to say.

As listed throughout this post, there are many ways for bronze nameplates to be used to credit and honor people who were important to someone or to an organization. No matter what type of building, institution, or organization you find a memorial bronze nameplate in, it has the ability to remind others of someone important. Often accompanied by a bronze plaque or photo, bronze nameplates can distinguish someone important and what they want them to be remembered for. The bronze nameplates can simply be in memory of someone, or used as a way to honor a large change they made in the place they are being honored. Perhaps the person being honored donated an entire sports field to a college, or maybe it was a church member who donated a few pews. Whatever the reason is, utilizing a bronze nameplate is a special way to showcase the good deeds of another and prolong the memory of them. These nameplates may be larger or smaller, depending on the number of names and information placed on them.

Bronze nameplates can make a wonderful gift for anyone in your life. It is an incredible way to honor someone special and showcase something they have done that you are proud of. They are good ideas for gifts for life changes such as getting a promotion they worked hard to attain. Nameplates can also be gifted by donors to causes they care about to honor a certain person or organization. If you’re looking for a unique gift that the person on the receiving end will cherish long beyond its gifting, nameplates are perfect options. Since they will remain usable overtime and will forever retain their shape, though their color may fade a bit and need some polishing, they are the perfect way to remember someone special.

At East Point Foundry, we specialize in creating custom nameplates for all of your needs. Some examples of clients looking for high-quality nameplates include churches, business professionals, and clients searching for a way to remember loved ones. Since 1948, East Point Foundry has been creating high quality and handcrafted bronze and aluminum plaques. East Point Foundry is headquartered in East Point, Georgia, and is owned by Scott Livingston. On top of creating new plaques, nameplates, castings, and sculpting, East Point Foundry is also able to make older products look new again. You can see how there are so many different uses for bronze nameplates and how prominent they are. We hope that you were able to learn more about the history of bronze nameplates and about all of their uses.

If you are looking for a bronze nameplate and aren’t sure where to start, East Point Foundry is here every step of the way. We are able to work with customers on all types of bronze nameplate projects to ensure that we are able to create a nameplate that is perfect for what you are looking for. The attention to detail and craftsmanship is essential for making nameplates that will last a lifetime and beyond. Utilizing bronze nameplates in your home, place of business, or as a special memento is the perfect way to showcase the classical look.