Gallery: Process: Lost Wax Brass Process: : 01 Making the Wax Model

The "lost wax" brass process is an ancient tecnique used for making brass models and sculptures.  It was also used to make the the intricate gold ornaments beloved by West African chiefs. Nowadays brass is more commonly used.  This is the process: 

• 01 Making the Wax Model
• 02 Making the Mould
• 03 In the Kiln
• 04 Cleaning and Polishing

Making the wax model

 Wax from the African honey bee is used

First it's formed into the rough shape and size needed

 Sometimes the wax is pressed into moulds to form the basic shape

After the basic shape has been formed...

The decoration can begin...

Pieces of wax are modelled to make the decorations 

An old syringe is used to make strings of wax        

  
But when you need a lot, production can be cranked up using innovative technology       

After the strings of wax have been applied they are sculpted - every detail made in wax will be replaced by brass

This is fiddly work - the fine strings of wax are shaped and fused to the base shape - it needs a steady hand and great concentration...

The finished wax faces

Adinkra symbol "gye nyame" moulds

Beads and hollow brass models are made from fine strings of wax built up over a charcoal mould

All done with these simple tools...

And all part of a day's work for this artisan at his workbench

Gallery: Process: Lost Wax Brass Process: 04 Cleaning and Polishing

The "lost wax" brass process is an ancient tecnique used for making brass models and sculptures.  It was also used to make the the intricate gold ornaments beloved by West African chiefs. Nowadays brass is more commonly used.  This is the process: 

• 01 Making the Wax Model
• 02 Making the Mould
• 03 In the Kiln
• 04 Cleaning and Polishing 

After they have baked in the kiln the crucibles are broken open to reveal the finished pieces inside

 

But it's not over yet... each of the pieces has to be cleaned which is a long job

 

Everyone in the workshop helps out - even the children

 

In fact it's a family job... and this is how children start to learn the skill

 

Making different model

 And here are the glorious finished pieces - all cleaned and shined

 

 People come from all over the world to see the skills of these artisans...

And we say good by to the artisans at the "lost wax" brass workshop in Ghana

  

Gallery: Process: Lost Wax Brass Process: 03 In the Kiln

The "lost wax" brass process is an ancient tecnique used for making brass models and sculptures.  It was also used to make the the intricate gold ornaments beloved by West African chiefs. Nowadays brass is more commonly used.  This is the process: 

• 01 Making the Wax Model
• 02 Making the Mould
• 03 In the Kiln
• 04 Cleaning and Polishing 

Crucibles are made that exactly fit over the finished the finished moulds

 These days recycled brass taps and pipes are often used    Along with brass models that didn't work out

   The crucibles are all filled with brass and then joined together to the waiting mould

 And the mold is ready for the kiln

 A trench kiln is prepared 

The crucibles are put in the kiln and fired. As they get hot the wax melts and the molten brass flows in and takes its place

Gallery: Process: Lost Wax Brass Process: 02 Making the Mould

The "lost wax" brass process is an ancient tecnique used for making brass models and sculptures.  It was also used to make the the intricate gold ornaments beloved by West African chiefs. Nowadays brass is more commonly used.  This is the process: 

• 01 Making the Wax Model
• 02 Making the Mould
• 03 In the Kiln
• 04 Cleaning and Polishing 

02 Making the Mould

  Pieces of charcoal are pounded...

 Into a fine powder

  The powder charcoal is mixed with water...

 And the wax models are dipped into the mixture

And given a thick coating...

And then left to dry and harden

Channels are left for the brass to pour in and replace the wax

The models are dipped again and again to build up the mould cases

As the mold is built up with fibrous material to strengthen it