GENERAL DESCRIPTION
The lost-wax casting method creates a single unique image, as opposed to one that is cast from a mold of an existing image. Sculptors mold images out of wax comprised of a mixture of beeswax and tree resin. Once the wax is fully molded into the key pieces of the final sculpture, it is placed in cold water to harden. The pieces of wax are joined after being reheated and connected with tubular struts. While the wax is malleable and sticky, sculptors form every detail because every mark on the mold will register on the finished metal cast sculpture.
The wax image is then covered with an outer mold of layered clay, and the entire piece is held together with metal wire suitable to the heat of fire. The clay-encased mold is baked, and the wax is then melted from the outer mold and molten metal is poured into it. After cooling for several days, the clay mold is broken open to reveal the metal sculpture within. The bronze is polished and smoothed and any excess clay or bronze chipped away to create the finished product.
Adapted from
- DMA unpublished material.
NOTES
DMA unpublished material = Connect, Shiva Nataraja.
ASSOCIATED CONTENT CHUNKS (list applicable note links)
AUDIO ASSETS
VIDEO ASSETS
IMAGE ASSETS
WEB RESOURCES
- Smarthistory~Watch a video about lost-wax casting.
- Khan Academy~Watch a short video that demonstrates the creation of an ancient Roman silver cup, including repoussé, chasing, and lost-wax casting.
ARCHIVAL RESOURCES (digitized/non-digitized)
FUN FACTS
TEACHING IDEAS
RULES
set operator as OR
apply to objects where public_notes contains lost-wax
apply to objects where medium contains lost-wax
apply to content where content contains lost-wax
apply to content where tag_value equals 300053113
Category
rules_operator
OR
General Description
The lost-wax casting method creates a single unique image, as opposed to one that is cast from a mold of an existing image. Sculptors mold images out of wax comprised of a mixture of beeswax and tree resin. Once the wax is fully molded into the key pieces of the final sculpture, it is placed in cold water to harden. The pieces of wax are joined after being reheated and connected with tubular struts. While the wax is malleable and sticky, sculptors form every detail because every mark on the mold will register on the finished metal cast sculpture.
The wax image is then covered with an outer mold of layered clay, and the entire piece is held together with metal wire suitable to the heat of fire. The clay-encased mold is baked, and the wax is then melted from the outer mold and molten metal is poured into it. After cooling for several days, the clay mold is broken open to reveal the metal sculpture within. The bronze is polished and smoothed and any excess clay or bronze chipped away to create the finished product.
Adapted from
- DMA unpublished material.
Fun Facts
Archival Resources
(digitized/non-digitized)
Web Resources
- Smarthistory~Watch a video about lost-wax casting.
- Khan Academy~Watch a short video that demonstrates the creation of an ancient Roman silver cup, including repoussé, chasing, and lost-wax casting.
Notes
DMA unpublished material = Connect, Shiva Nataraja.
rules
Apply To
Objects
public_notes
Contains
lost-wax
Apply To
Objects
medium
Contains
lost-wax
Apply To
Content
content
Contains
lost-wax
Apply To
Content
tag_value
Equals
300053113
source file
materials_and_techniques-0163.xml.nores