The casting of bronze

Sculptures have been casted in bronze, very expressive material which lasts centuries, for hundreds of years The sculpture is modelled in clay..

The clay sculpture is coated with a layer of silicone rubber and a plaster mould made of several parts is created from the model of siliconed clay.

The silicone coat in the plaster mould is then covered with a 1 cm thick layer of wax with a paint brush .

Then, the shape of wax is unmoulded and encased in a refractory ceramic shell. A mixture of plaster and chamotte is poured In the empty shape of wax and fills the cavity.

This core is maintained in place by iron nails which are hammered through the wax into the plaster, Then the ceramic shell+wax form+plaster core unit is put in a drying kiln.

The wax is melted out at the temperature of 300 - 400 °C thereby creating a hollow matrix.

The liquid bronze is poured into the cavity which formed between the plaster and the outside shape. After the cooling of the bronze, the outside ceramic mass is destroyed, the cooled figure of hardened bronze is then chiselled and polished.

One can then give the sculpture a patina of various colours using several acids and a flame.

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