Materials and processes

LOST WAX CASTING PROCESS

The lost wax casting process has its origins in the millenarian cultures. All great civilizations benefited from their excellence and longevity.

 

  • The artist gives form to clay to create an original sculpture.
  • Then, a negative mold is obtained by covering the original sculpture with silicone.
  • Later, the silicone is covered with a polyester resin and a fiberglass cover.
  • Once the mold solidifies it is cut in half capturing all the detail of the original sculpture.
  • Later the interior of the mold is painted with several layers of liquid wax and filled with a refractory material. Once solidified; the outer cover is removed revealing a wax model of the sculpture.
  • The artist reviews the wax model for any defects in the wax. Once the wax model is approved by the artist, it is covered again with the refractory material.
  • The model is then placed in the oven at 720 degrees Celsius until the wax and the humidity disappear.
  • Then, the hollow left by the wax is filled with fused bronze at 1250 degrees Celsius through holes made in the model before being placed in the oven. When the metal has cooled the mold is removed revealing the piece in bronze. Later the artist chisels the surface and reviews the sculpture, until all imperfections are eliminated.
  • Finally, a patina is applied (natural oxidation with acids and fire) until the desired sheen is obtained.