Basically, the sculptures are produced in traditional craftsmen's workshops in Germany, relying on one of two different manufacturing processes: rotational moulding or injection moulding.
Rotational moulding
This production method is used for most of Ottmar Hörl's well-known sculptures. Taking several weeks, the complex process involves a copper mould to be made before the first PVC figure can be manufactured. The mould is slowly rotated in a furnace chamber causing the PVC to disperse and stick to the hot walls of the mould. The PVC coagulates and thickens. During the cooling phase, skilled craftsmen manually rework the hollow sculpture thus produced, creating serial, yet unique items in this manner.
Injection moulding
Injection moulding is used for all figures made of soft PVC, such as the Sponti to go, the pocket penguin, or the avant-garde snail. In contrast to rotational moulding, the method yields solid figures in fully coloured plastic material. The mould used consists of two halves forming a cavity into which the melted soft PVC granules are fed. Due to the nature of the tools employed, the sculptures typically have a slight seam. When moulding is completed, the sculptures are given a finish, e.g. varnishing, by hand.
All sculptures are handmade in craftsmen's workshops located in the south of Germany. The material used also comes from Germany and is subject to regular quality testing.
All the sculptures are made of break-proof, non-toxic plastic material. They are suitable for indoor and outdoor use. Depending on the extent to which the sculptures are exposed to natural climatic conditions, they will show traces of weathering over time, as is common for any other material. Please note that plastic materials are not designed to last as long as, for instance, stone or metal. For lasting colour intensity, we recommend installing the figures in a sheltered place, and avoiding exposure to permanent sunlight. The brilliance of gold and silver-coloured sculptures in particular will be better preserved in this way.
You may generally drill a hole in the base of the sculptures. Using a substructure, e.g. made of metal, you may anchor your sculpture directly to the ground. This is what the Ottmar Hörl team does when arranging them for the art installations and fixing them in the ground.
Customary mild neutral cleaning agents are suitable for removing dust and dirt.
All the sculptures created by Ottmar Hörl carry a visible "HÖRL" stamp engraved at the bottom of the figure. On top of that, copies from the limited and signed edition of the sculptures are available. Signed figures carry a signature number which indicates that they are part of a limited edition, as well as Ottmar Hörl's original signature written on the smooth bottom surface in wiping-proof and water-resistant colour.
Customers may pay using PayPal or by cash in advance (advance bank transfer). Three to four business days after receipt of payment, the items ordered will be ready for dispatch.
Items are dispatched using GLS services for deliveries within the EU and shipments to Switzerland. Deliveries within within the EU run 2 to 4 business days. All non-EU countries are served by DHL (except for Switzerland). Shipping times may vary depending on the destination from 8 to 15 business days.
Customers from the US can order original sculptures by Ottmar Hörl directly from Musart Boutique and profit from better shipping terms.
Due to annually rising costs charged by our delivery service providers, we shall have to adjust our shipping costs, after four years of price stability, as of 26 March 2019. We trust you will understand our decision!
View the detailed list of shipping costs here.
