The Lost-Wax Casting Process

Learn about the stages of the lost-wax casting process, a metal casting technique used to create this Panamanian figural pendant, and many other gold ornaments from the region.
Explore a 3-D model of this object and learn more:
www.clevelanda...
Figure with Deer Antlers Pendant, 400-700. Panama, Darién or Venado Beach region, Openwork style, 5th-8th Century. Cast gold; overall: 7.8 x 5.3 x 2.3 cm (3 1/16 x 2 1/16 x 7/8 in.). The Cleveland Museum of Art, Gift of Mrs. Benjamin P. Bole 1946.80

[@jewelrynewsnetwork]

This is the best explanation I've ever seen of the lost wax casting process

[@sdbullion]

.999 fine explanation there, well done CLE Museum of Art

[@ireallylovegod]

I see what you did there.

[@fredrikoregard832]

Great explanation and cgi demonstration about acient molding technique.👏👍 Thanks!❤

[@AdnanASyukri]

Wow this is such an excellent explanation video... Great 3D animation as well... Thank you!

[@cepewka13]

thanks

[@juliejanson8065]

So helpful? How can I date the Benin lost cast sculptures I recently found in an estate store? Any suggestions on where togo or who to call? Thank you

[@shanek6582]

Where'd they get their wax from in South America? As far as I know, there's petroleum based paraffin wax that's a byproduct of the oil refining industry and beeswax from honeybees and they are native to Europe and Africa and weren't introduced into the Americas until after the 16th century. Maybe they used some type of tree resin ? I'd guess a pine sap glue would work about the same and melt out of the mold once the mold cured. Idk thanks anyone

[@SimplyReg]

Carnauba wax.

[@davidalvarezsantana9284]

esas obras son de Panamá( Gran Darien)

[@fernandaolivares7926]

How do they remove the inner clay though?

[@ethervagabond]

That was my question too. If I had to guess, I'd guess they just take some small tool and dig it out through the holes/openings in the ornament, whether it was still soft, or it got hardened in the fire and they had to break it up.

[@gaiaclayjewellery]

They don’t. It sticks to the outer layer of clay. This will then create a mould that can be reused. They’ll cut open the mould to remove the gold pendant and then close it back up to reuse the mould again.

[@user-pc7wb2si6u]

Being rather new to the discovery of these figures, how can we know they were not made recently rather than several hundred years ago? Is there proof from find sites of casting molds, or are there multiple finds of single types of figures -- such as one might expect from a model being reproduced for a religious purpose? Is there a distribution of the figures across an area known to be the homeland of a tribe? Are any crushed from deposition in the earth? Seems to me it is too easy without provenance to assume they are genuine near-conquest era artifacts, when in reality they may be simply modern artworks maybe created for sale to a museum via a private owner.