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To give you an idea of the amount of time and delicate
work that goes into the production each bronze statue we would like to
outline the creation process for you. The lost wax method technique is
divided into five separate stages, namely 1)
creation of the wax
model 2)
forming the earthen mold 3)
melting the wax
from the mold “the lost wax method”
4)
casting of the
mold and 5)
finishing and
filing of the bronze statue.
The wax is composed of a 50-50 mixture of resin and bees
wax with a tiny bit of cooking oil added. The wax is then heated over a
charcoal fire that resides in the center of a working table surrounded
by the raw wax for easy access. Every wax mold starts with the torso
and head of the figure. This is the basis of the piece and establishes
size. The torso and head are made separate from the arms and legs.
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The wax mold of the torso is made by the most talented
wax model. This is usually the best artist in the group. This is
because the face is considered the most important part of the piece. It
is the life of the piece as Varadaraj explains. The torso is extremely
important because it establishes the proper proportions for the figure.
The arms, hands and feet are created in separate pieces.
Heated files are used to shape the larger portions of the
piece. The iron of the file is kept buried in the charcoal with the
handles sticking out, thus they are always very hot. When the hot file
is applied to the wax a small hiss of smoke is formed. The more
delicate portions of the arms, hands and fingers are made by hand with a
small stick-like tool.
Click
on the link below to watch a video
of Sini shaping the torso of the wax model;
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The wax must be continually heated so that it is
malleable. Once the torso, arms and legs are completed they need to be
joined together. They are joined together by using the heated file to
burn both sides of the wax model. The torso side is heated where the
arm will join and the arm is heated where it will join with the torso.
The heated liquid wax will mix together forming a strong connection.
Click
on the link below to watch a videoo
of the joining of the arms to the torso of the wax model;
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Runner between the torso and the chakra of Vishnu |
After the figure has all the appendages and is
made whole small rods of the wax called “runners “are added
between hard to reach portions of the piece such as the hands
and legs. Runners ensure that in the later casting process when
the liquid metal is poured into the mold the metal can flow
freely within the mold.
The figure is complete and now must be attached
to a platform.
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Wax modeler creating wax base |
The wax model of the base is made separate from
the wax model of the figure. The base is made simultaneously
with the wax model of the figure and is tested to make sure that
the platform of the wax figure fits like a puzzle piece into the
base.
The wax model of the base is usually made by a
beginning wax modeler as it requires less skill.
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