Although most of the statues we have from antiquity are marble, it is estimated that up to half of all statues made at the time were bronze. The lack of surviving bronze statuary is due to the fact that bronze was a popular metal for many other applications, including arms such as swords and shields. Consequently, when wartime came around, bronze statues were often melted down to create weapons.

As a medium, bronze proved more versatile than stone. The ability of bronze to hold its shape no matter how complex allowed sculptors to experiment with less rigid poses. Not only was bronze a stronger and lighter medium than marble or terra cotta, but weights could be placed at the bottom of a sculpture. This allowed any number of poses that in another medium would topple over or crack.

Solid bronzes were problematic, however. They required immense quantities of the valuable metal. The process was therefore developed to cast hollow sculptures. It took several generations, but finally the art of lost wax sculpting was perfected.

How "lost wax" is done

Bronze statues are cast, rather than sculpted. This means that the hot metal is poured into a cast, or a mold, which then hardens into becoming the final statue.

Step 1: Sculpt

This step is where the actual sculpting or carving takes place. A clay or plaster full-sized model is created, complete with all the details desired on the final version. This can be done over a wooden frame to strengthen the form, with only a top layer being the clay or plaster.

Step 2: Separate Pieces

When the model is ready, it is generally too large to be cast in bronze all at once. It is therefore separated into pieces, such as arms, head, torso, etc. Each section will be cast individually and then reassembled.

Step 3: Create Mold

The pieces are then covered with clay or plaster to created a reverse image, or mold. Once dried, these molds are carefully separated from the original sculpture in sections.

Step 4: Apply Wax

The insides of these molds are then covered with a thick layer of molten wax, which is then allowed to harden. The wax only covers the surfaces of the mold, and does not fill in as a solid object. The remaining space is filled with clay. The clay elements are attached to each other through the wax with nails or pins so the inner section will not move during firing.

Step 5: Fire Mold

The entire arrangement of clay-wax-clay is then heated so that the clay hardens and the wax melts. The wax is allowed to flow out through channels, leaving a space between the two clay sections.

Step 6: Pour Bronze

Once the clay has cooled, the mold is inverted and bronze can be poured into the channels where the wax drained out. Taking the place of the wax, the bronze forms into the shape of the original sculpture.

Step 7: Remove Mold and Finish

Once the bronze has cooled, the mold is broken open and the pieces finished to remove imperfections. The hollow sculpture is then assembled into the finished product.

A work of art

As you can see, the expertise and artistry that goes into a bronze sculpture makes each one precious. If you're contemplating purchasing a bronze item, you might ask the artist about the process. You'll appreciate even more the gracefulness and beauty of your purchase.