Polyresin
Polyresin is a composite material made from finely ground stone and liquid resin. The mixture is poured into a mould and cures into a solid, stone like material. It is also known as polystone or cast stone.
Polyresin holds a central place within the official CowParade collection. This page explains what the material is made of, how it behaves and what to look for when buying.
What is polyresin made of?
Polyresin consists of two core components. The largest share is ground stone, often limestone or quartz. This stone powder is mixed with a liquid polyester resin that acts as a binder.
The mixture is poured into a finely detailed mould where it cures chemically. The result is a solid figurine that feels noticeably heavier in the hand than plain plastic. That weight is the first thing most collectors notice.
Because the cured material is not porous, it does not absorb moisture. The surface also dries exceptionally smooth, which makes an ideal base for precise hand painting.
Is polyresin the same as plastic?
No, although the comparison is understandable. Plastic is typically injection moulded and consists entirely of synthetic granulate. Polyresin is mostly mineral stone powder, with the resin doing nothing more than holding it together.
The difference is easy to feel. Polyresin is heavier, feels cooler to the touch and sounds duller when tapped. Plastic figurines feel hollow and light by comparison.
Is polyresin fragile?
Polyresin is more impact resistant than ceramic or porcelain, but it is not indestructible. A fall from table height onto a hard floor can cause chipping, particularly at thin points such as ears, horns or the tail.
In normal use as a decorative object, polyresin is remarkably durable. It does not warp, it does not yellow when kept indoors, and it holds its shape for years.
Is polyresin a high quality material?
Quality depends on the mixing ratio and the finishing. A high proportion of stone powder produces a heavier, more substantial object. A high resin content makes the figurine lighter and cheaper to produce.
The second quality factor is the painting. At CowParade the medium polyresin models are hand painted, and the large and XL formats largely so. Where a figurine is hand painted, two examples of the same design always differ very slightly from one another, something collectors tend to value.
Polyresin or ceramic?
Ceramic is created by firing clay at high temperatures. Polyresin cures chemically, without a kiln. Both materials feature in our collection and each has its own strengths.
Polyresin | Ceramic | |
|---|---|---|
Level of detail | very high, down to fine structures | flatter, smoother |
Surface | matte to satin | glazed, glossy |
Impact resistance | higher | more delicate |
Character | sculptural, three dimensional | classic, timeless |
Read more on our ceramic art page.
Is polyresin toxic?
Fully cured polyresin is considered chemically inert and does not release substances in normal use. Finished decorative figurines are therefore safe to keep in living spaces.
Care is needed during production, meaning when pouring still liquid resin or sanding cured pieces, since fumes and fine dust can be released. As the buyer of a finished figurine, this does not apply to you.
One note nonetheless: polyresin figurines are not toys. Smaller models should be kept away from young children.
Is polyresin weatherproof and frost resistant?
Polyresin itself does not absorb moisture, which makes it broadly insensitive to damp. This is why many garden ornaments are made from it.
Frost resistance, however, depends on the specific sealant and the UV stability of the paint, and these vary considerably between manufacturers.
The CowParade collection is designed explicitly for indoor use. Our figurines are intended for living rooms, offices and display cabinets, not for permanent placement outdoors. Prolonged direct sunlight can fade the colours.
The advantages of polyresin figurines
The greatest advantage is the level of detail it can hold. Because the liquid mass fills every groove of the mould, even the finest structures come out sharply defined. A good example is the three dimensional set of instruments on the back of the 'Music-cow Extravaganza'.
The smooth surface is also the ideal base for the clear, vivid colours used by CowParade artists. This shows particularly well in designs such as 'Chromatic Pastures' and the retro 'That's 70's Cow'.
Polyresin figurines in four sizes
Our polyresin collection comes in four formats.
- Small, around 7 cm, ideal for a shelf or as a small gift
- Medium, around 16 cm, our best selling format
- Large, around 30 cm, a genuine eye catcher
- Extra Large, up to around 40 cm, a statement piece
Whether you are looking for something understated for a desk or a bold object for the hallway, there is a size to suit the space.
Buying polyresin figurines
Every figurine comes directly from CowParade International, the official brand owner. Not a third party replica, but the original collection.
Each cow is a scale model of an artwork that genuinely stood on the street at one of the more than eighty CowParade exhibitions held worldwide.
Looking for a gift? Take a look at ourgift ideas en corporate gifts.
