To give you an idea of the amount of time and delicate work that goes into the production each bronze statue we would like to outline the creation process for you. The lost wax method technique is divided into five separate stages, namely 1) creation of the wax model 2) forming the earthen mold 3) melting the wax from the mold “the lost wax method” 4) casting of the mold and 5) finishing and filing of the bronze statue.

Varun holding the torso of Krishna

Saraswati wax model

Charcoal burner with wax model

The wax is composed of a 50-50 mixture of resin and bees wax with a tiny bit of cooking oil added.  The wax is then heated over a charcoal fire that resides in the center of a working table surrounded by the raw wax for easy access.  Every wax mold starts with the torso and head of the figure.  This is the basis of the piece and establishes size.  The torso and head are made separate from the arms and legs. 

Heating the wax over the charcoal

Krishna wax model

apprentice cleaning up

Arms and legs made separately

Click on the link below to watch a video of Varadaraj making a wax model of Krishna's arm;
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The wax mold of the torso is made by the most talented wax model.  This is usually the best artist in the group.  This is because the face is considered the most important part of the piece.  It is the life of the piece as Varadaraj explains.  The torso is extremely important because it establishes the proper proportions for the figure.  The arms, hands and feet are created in separate pieces. 

Files being heated in the fire

Men at work

The charcoal with files and the beginnings of the wax base (foreground)

Heated files are used to shape the larger portions of the piece.  The iron of the file is kept buried in the charcoal with the handles sticking out, thus they are always very hot.  When the hot file is applied to the wax a small hiss of smoke is formed.  The more delicate portions of the arms, hands and fingers are made by hand with a small stick-like tool. 

Click on the link below to watch a video of Sini shaping the torso of the wax model;
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Sini using a heated file to shape the face

Sini smoothing out a joint of the arm and artist working on base of wax model (background)

Sini joining the separate arms and legs to the wax model

The wax must be continually heated so that it is malleable.  Once the torso, arms and legs are completed they need to be joined together.  They are joined together by using the heated file to burn both sides of the wax model.  The torso side is heated where the arm will join and the arm is heated where it will join with the torso.  The heated liquid wax  will mix together forming a strong connection.

Click on the link below to watch a video of the joining of the arms to the torso of the wax model;
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Applying the heated file to both the arm and the torso to create a perfect weld

applying pressure after the joining of the two pieces

Lots of concentration!