Our Bronze Process
What is the Bronze Casting process?
Adonis Bronze employs the Lost-wax process to help artists take their sculptures from clay, wood, or another medium and transition them into bronze. This process involves pouring molten metal into a heat proof mold that has been created by means of a wax model. This process was commonly used as far back as the 3rd millennium BC.
The Artist
![clay 1](https://adonisbronze.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/clay-1.jpg)
The beginning of a new bronze sculpture generally starts with the Artist making a maquette.
![clay 2](https://adonisbronze.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/clay-2.jpg)
They might have gotten a commission for a new piece, or decided on a neat new idea for something original.
![clay 3](https://adonisbronze.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/clay-3.jpg)
After the maquette is made the piece will be remade in the final size.
![clay 4](https://adonisbronze.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/clay-4.jpg)
Detail is added and refined until the piece is ready to be cast in bronze.
3D Imaging
![scan 2](https://adonisbronze.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/scan-2.jpg)
![scan 1](https://adonisbronze.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/scan-1.jpg)
They might have gotten a commission for a new piece, or decided on a neat new idea for something original.
![scanning human screenshot](https://adonisbronze.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/scanning-human-screenshot.png)
After the maquette is made the piece will be remade in the final size.
![mold 1](https://adonisbronze.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/mold-1.jpg)
Detail is added and refined until the piece is ready to be cast in bronze.
Mold Making
![mold 2](https://adonisbronze.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/mold-2.jpg)
The mold process starts with the tech applying multiple rubber coats to the clay.
![mold 3](https://adonisbronze.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/mold-3.jpg)
A large piece will also have to be sectioned into pieces in order to handle it practically.
![mold 7](https://adonisbronze.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/mold-7.jpg)
When the rubber is thick enough a hard plaster shell is made to add rigidity and strength.
![mold 8](https://adonisbronze.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/mold-8.jpg)
When pulled off the piece you can see a negative image of what was in the clay.
Wax Pour
![wax pour 2](https://adonisbronze.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/wax-pour-2.jpg)
Each piece of the mold then goes into Wax Pour, where melted wax is poured into the mold.
![wax pour 3](https://adonisbronze.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/wax-pour-3.jpg)
The wax completely coats the inside of the mold and the excess is removed.
![wax pour 6](https://adonisbronze.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/wax-pour-6.jpg)
After the wax has cooled the mold is removed and checked for quality.
![wax pour 8](https://adonisbronze.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/wax-pour-8.jpg)
The wax forms a new positive image of the original sculpture. The mold can then be reused for multiple reproductions.
Wax Chase
![wax chase](https://adonisbronze.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/wax-chase-2.jpg)
Each individual piece of wax is then checked over to make sure every detail from the original is present.
![wax chase 3](https://adonisbronze.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/wax-chase-3.jpg)
Each piece then needs sprues and a base cup added.
![wax chase 6](https://adonisbronze.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/wax-chase-6.jpg)
The sprues will act as pathways for the molten bronze to flow through later in the process.
![wax chase 5](https://adonisbronze.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/wax-chase-5.jpg)
It takes a lot of sprues to get a large piece ready to move on in the process.
Slurry
![Slurry 3](https://adonisbronze.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/Slurry-3.jpg)
The wax is then dipped in a slurry mixture to start the creation of a shell that will withstand the heat of molten bronze.
![Slurry 7](https://adonisbronze.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/Slurry-7.jpg)
It is then covered with a silicate sand and left to dry.
![Slurry 8](https://adonisbronze.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/Slurry-8.jpg)
This will be repeated for five to six coats as needed to ensure the shell is thick enough.
![Slurry 12](https://adonisbronze.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/Slurry-12.jpg)
The final coat adds the needed strength to the shell.
Metal Pour
![Metal Pour 3](https://adonisbronze.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/Metal-Pour-3.jpg)
The shells are then heated up to remove the wax from inside. This creates the next negative image.
![Metal Pour 7](https://adonisbronze.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/Metal-Pour-7.jpg)
They are then placed into a furnace and brought up to temperature.
![Metal Pour 5](https://adonisbronze.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/Metal-Pour-5.jpg)
Bronze melts at 1675 degrees fahrenheit. Special protective equipment is necessary.
![Metal Pour 12](https://adonisbronze.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/Metal-Pour-12.jpg)
The molten bronze is then poured into each individual shell.
Metal Chase
![Metal Chase 2](https://adonisbronze.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/Metal-Chase-2.jpg)
After the bronze cools the shell is removed and the piece can be seen.
![Metal Chase 3](https://adonisbronze.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/Metal-Chase-3.jpg)
All of the pieces are then brought together and a 3D puzzle begins.
![Metal Chase 4](https://adonisbronze.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/Metal-Chase-4.jpg)
The pieces are then welded back together and the piece is checked to ensure all the detail is still present.
![Metal Chase 8](https://adonisbronze.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/Metal-Chase-8.jpg)
The final positive image of our original sculpture is complete.
Patina
![Patina 3](https://adonisbronze.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/Patina-3.jpg)
The piece is then moved into Patina where the coloration is added to the bronze according to what the artist desires.
![Patina 4](https://adonisbronze.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/Patina-4.jpg)
The bronze material has chemicals applied to its surface.
![Patina 8](https://adonisbronze.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/Patina-8.jpg)
Heat is then added to allow the pores of the bronze to accept the color.
![Patina 11](https://adonisbronze.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/Patina-11.jpg)
After the final color is correct, wax is added to give the bronze a layer of protection.
The Piece is finished
![Forever-Remember](https://adonisbronze.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/Forever-Remember.jpg)
The artists’ vision is then ready to be delivered.