Relevant categories: Bronzes,Fountains and Garden
(Above photo - Italian Bronze Nude Female Harp Player Classical Art made via the lost wax process )
Â
Lost wax has been the most popular method of casting bronze over the centuries. It is an elaborate method of producing bronze statues of all shapes and sizes. Bronze lost wax is called so since bronze is cast around a wax model. After melting down the wax, one comes up with a mold in which he or she pours the molten bronze. The process takes place in the following simple steps. Â
(Above photo - Large bronze fountain )
The first step involves the creation of the original wax (or another material) model. Then, a mold of the model is made from fiberglass or plaster. Usually, the mold would consist of two or more parts. Later on, the parts can be put together before casting the bronze. Long additional parts may require separate molds to create them.
After finishing the mold, the artist pours molten wax into it. He or she swirls the wax until an even coating of at least 3mm thick is achieved. Or, one could pour the molten wax into the mold and let it sit until it solidifies. The idea is to achieve a wax thickness of a certain thickness.
(Above photo - Bronze Statue Britannia - Roman Goddess Britain ) ​
Once the wax has adequately solidified, it is removed from the original mold. The artist may create multiple wax copies of the original mold, depending on his or her needs.
Chasing is the process of removing marks showing flashing or parting lines where the pieces of mold were enjoined. All imperfections are removed by dressing the wax. The artists then heats and attaches the different mold pieces.
The artists sprues the wax to create a treelike structure that allows wax to freely flow through. Also, it is meant to release any air that could be trapped inside the mold. Whether the sprue is hollow or not, it will be melted out in the end.
Once the wax copy is sprued, it is dipped into a silica slurry followed by an even grained crystalline silica. This creates a ceramic shell that’s left to dry. The artist pours additional layers of silica until it reaches a thickness of at least half an inch.
(Above photo - Antique Bronze Atlas figure statue ) ​
When the shell is heated in a kiln, the silica hardens while the wax melts away. The molten wax can be burnt up or collected and reused. Space builds up inside the shell in place of the wax that has been burnt out.
After the ceramic shell has cooled, water is poured through it to test the vent and feeder tubes. The artist patches any cracks using refractory paste. He or she tests the thickness of the shell by drilling and patching holes. After reheating the shell, the artist pours into it, molten bronze. The shell is then left to cool.
To release the shell, an artist may use a hammer or sandblast. He or she cuts off the sprues and reworks the sculpture to remove any signs of casting. Any pits have to be filled out and polished. That is done until the sculpture is ready.
As you can see, bronze lost wax is an elaborate method whose steps an artist needs to follow strictly.
Related Articles:
Recently Viewed Items
Pair Big Bronze Boxer Dogs Gat...
Pair Italian Bronze Female Tor...
Bronze Polo Player Horse Jocke...
Pair Bronze Stag Statues - Fre...
Antique stools may appear modest, but they can offer surprising value, both financially and historically. Whether you're a collector, dealer, or simply curious about a family heirloom, determining the value of an antique stool involves evaluating age, craftsmanship, materials, provenance, and condition.
Damascus, one of the world’s oldest continually inhabited cities, has long been a hub of art, trade, and cultural exchange. Nestled at the heart of the ancient Silk Road, the Syrian capital became a melting pot of civilizations—Roman, Byzantine, Islamic, and Ottoman. This rich confluence of influences is vividly preserved in the city’s antiques, which are admired today for their intricate craftsmanship and enduring beauty.
The Charles X period (1824–1830), though brief, left a distinct and elegant mark on French decorative arts. Positioned between the bold grandeur of the Empire style and the more relaxed Romanticism of Louis-Philippe, Charles X antiques embody a refined neoclassicism that prioritizes lightness, grace, and intricate craftsmanship.