Restoring antique bronze sculptures is a delicate and intricate process that requires both artistic sensitivity and scientific precision. One of the primary challenges is dealing with corrosion, which can manifest as green patina or more destructive forms like bronze disease. Conservators must carefully balance preserving the sculpture's historical authenticity while halting further deterioration.

Structural instability is another major hurdle, as centuries of wear or improper handling often lead to cracks, breaks, or missing elements. Reconstructing these requires specialized techniques that don't compromise the original material. The cleaning process itself presents difficulties - overly aggressive methods can erase valuable historical information embedded in the surface, while insufficient cleaning fails to stabilize the piece.

Environmental factors pose additional complications. Previous restoration attempts using now-obsolete methods may need reversal, and determining appropriate display conditions to prevent future damage requires careful consideration of humidity, light exposure, and pollutants. Each sculpture presents unique challenges based on its alloy composition, casting technique, and history of use or burial.

Perhaps most challenging is the ethical dimension - deciding how much intervention is appropriate while maintaining the artwork's integrity and historical value. Modern conservation philosophy emphasizes minimal intervention, making each restoration decision a complex judgment call between preservation and restoration. These multifaceted challenges make antique bronze restoration one of the most demanding specialties in art conservation.