Lost Wax Method:


Why are statues in bronze so costly? What gives them value beyond. That of a "souvenir" that ends up in a closet? There are many reasons including cost of materials (bronze, silicone for molds, tools, ovens, etc.) But mostly because there are very few people trained in the tedious process practiced by the ancient Greeks and Romans. Many time consuming, difficult steps are involved. In a world of hi-tech mass production, bronze casting remains essentially unchanged. Each and Every bronze casting is in reality an "original" and the following explains why. These are the basic steps involved in creating a bronze Sculpture using the classic "cire perdue" (lost wax) process :

# arting's original model
# silicone mold of the model
# create lost wax mold
# bronze casting
# clean mold from casting
# grind, rasp and file bronze
# assemble pieces by welding
# file and finish assembled piece
# polishing
# application of patina


All bronze piece are cast from a wax model regardless of the original material the model was sculpted in. A silicone mold is made from the artist's finished piece, and a hollow wax cast is drawn from this mold. The wax is then repaired, re-worked and finished to the sculptor's specifications. Prior to creating a ceramic shell (explained below), vents are attached within the wax model. These vents are necessary in difficult areas where gas may accumulate such as hips, limbs, and neck. The vents allow the gas to escape when the molten bronze is poured and will prevent air pockets from forming and exploding the ceramic shell. The ceramic shell is one of the few materials the can withstand the heat of the molten

When the wax cast is hardened and the vents are in place a ceramic shell is formed over the wax. This shell is made by dipping the wax into a slurry, coating it with sand, drying and repeating the process up to 14 times. A core consisting of plaster, ground brick and water is poured into the interior of the wax mold. After the ceramic shell and core have set, the mold is fired in an oven, the wax is melted and the ceramic shell is left intact. This process is known in French as "cire perdue" (lost wax). Molten bronze is now poured into the cavity left by the melted wax. When the bronze is cooled, the shell is chipped away using a hammer and chisel.

The bronze must now be repaired and finished. This step is called "chasing" and it is a difficult process because the metal is involved. Any imperfection such as air pockets of pits must be brazed with bronze rod, as in welding. All seams and spurs must be removed by grinding, rasping and, finally, sanding. The next step is to chase or hammer the vents from the mold using special tools. The natural bronze has a dull finish. after final finishing, a patina is applied which may be left matte of polished. Chemicals, pigments, heat, safety equipment and a lot of experience are involved. And since bronze comes in a variety of alloys, the patina requires different chemicals and techniques.

Cold cast of "bonded bronze" is the name given to a less costly process. The mold is filled with a plastic resin mixed with bronze powders. The piece is then patinated to the desired finish. The process creates the effect of bronze but is far less expensive, because it is not the real thing.

A bronze created by the "cire perdue" process is one of our few remaining opportunities to purchase a non - mass produced piece of art. Bronze sculptures are heirlooms you can be proud to display and enjoy every day.

(courtesy: www.asiabronze.com)