How Metal Statues are Made ?

When it comes to metal statues, bronze statues top the list. Why bronze? It is easy to create the desired result, and nobody knows this better than a sculptor who follows the 6000 years old technique.

How easy it is to make is a level and should not be underestimated because it is not a one-day work if you want to make a well-designed metal statue.

The sculptor, who works on bronze or any other metal, also employs correct tools and their instincts in the creation of the spell-bounding result.

Why bronze, and why not copper, you may have this question in your mind? We should not overlook copper because all the statues of Buddha we sell online are copper statues. Do you want bronze statue? Tell us.

The sculptor prefers bronze to copper because of its durability. Copper is also durable, but what makes bronze more durable are tin, copper, lead, and zinc; its unbeatable composition.

Below you will see the process of how the sculptor uses molten bronze or molten copper or gold or silver or brass or aluminum to make a final product.

Lost-Wax Casting Process

What is casting ?

Casting means putting the molten liquid into a mold. 

Then what is mold ?

Actually, the mold is a model. So, we will teach you how to make a model first.

We have to make a model from bee wax. We mean to say the model of a statue you are going to make.

Then you have to cover the bee-waxed model with clay. After that, you have to dry it. It’s up to you whether you want to dry it in the sun or at room temperature.

When the clay dries up, make a tiny hole on its base so that the wax will melt and come out from a hole during the heating. 

In this way, the hollow is created inside the clay.

You have to fill up this hollow by pouring the molten liquid of your choice. And you fill up through the hole. 

When the liquid cools off after 5 or 10 minutes, you have to remove the clay with a small iron rod to avoid the hot temperature and to see the statue. The temperature can be around 300 degrees Celsius or more. 

To give a fine finishing touch to the statue, you have to brush and polish it.

Sand Casting Process

This process does not mean you are going to use river sand.

You have to use soil that you use in a pot in your garden.

But first, you have to make a wooden frame. A square wooden frame is what you should go for.

The length of the square should be 1.5 ft or more, and the breadth of this square should be 6 inches or more that you need accordingly.

You have to lay this square or frame on the floor. 

Then you have to sprinkle talcum powder on the floor. 

After this, you have to put the soil till you reach the top of the frame. 

Then you have to compress the soil with your hand till you have compacted. 

After this, you have to level the soil by using a long rectangular wooden bar, having a width of 3 inches.

After leveling the soil, lay the statue and press the statue till it is half-submerged. 

Then sprinkle the talcum powder on the statue and the soil. 

70% of the work is completed. Now place another wooden frame of the same size on top of the previous wooden frame.

You have to follow the same procedure from paragraphs 7 to 9 of the Sand Casting Process described above.

Then place 3 wooden sticks which have diameters of 3 inches on the soil, just above the hidden statue.

Now, open the top frame slowly so that the soil will not fall.

After this, take out the statue.

Again, place the frame in the same position as you have done previously.

Now, remove the wooden sticks and pour the molten liquid into the first hole.

Keep on pouring the molten liquid till the liquid comes out from the second and the third hole. This is to ensure that the liquid has spread evenly.

Then you should wait for some time till the liquid is solidified.

For example, aluminum will solidify in 5 minutes.

Now, open the wooden frame slowly and carefully.

You will see the metal statue that you have made. Do not touch it with a bare hand. It is very, very hot.

Let the statue cool off.

Before you finally show the statue to others, you have to do brushing and polishing.

If you have a question about why wax is used ?

It is because you can make an intricate design on wax. This is the reason why Lost-Wax Casting Process is expensive than Sand Casting.