From Clay to Bronze

Life-sized Bella and the Bug

Once the clay sculpture is finished, a long and expensive process is involved in converting it to bronze. This is the ancient lost-wax technique, and many skilled and talented artisans are involved along the way.

Painting with silicone

Finished inner mold

Rigid outer mold

Filling with wax

Wax replica sections

Sprued replica parts

Ceramic slurry shells

Shells fired, wax lost

Pouring bronze