Lost-wax casting – also called investment casting, precision casting, or cire perdue is the process used to create our best-selling brass hardware. Simply put, the process involves a duplicate sculpture being cast from an original sculpture. Intricate works can be achieved by this method, and it has been used throughout history to create everything from jewellery to fountains!
The oldest known examples of this technique are approximately 6,500 years old, from around 4550–4450 BC. This includes gold artefacts that were found at Bulgaria's Varna Necropolis. A copper amulet from Mehrgarh, Indus Valley civilization, in Pakistan, is dated to circa 4,000 BC. Cast copper objects, found in the Nahal Mishmar hoard in southern Israel, which belong to the Chalcolithic period (4500–3500 BC), are estimated to date to back to circa 3500 BC. Lost-wax casting was widespread in Europe until the 18th century, when a new process called piece-moulding became more popular.
The lost wax casting process is time consuming. First a permanent concrete mould is made. These moulds are strong and used over and over again. Wax is then softened and beaten and pressed into the mould. Once the wax has taken on the shape of the mould it is removed and covered in a layer of fine charcoal and water sludge before being left to dry. Once dry 6 or so pieces are put together in a small bundle and again covered with another layer of charcoal sludge – this time a bit more dense. This is again left to dry. Once dry they are coated in clay and once the clay is dry the mould is baked in a huge oven for many hours – this process is usually done at night when it is cooler. The wax melts leaving a negative impression inside the clay covering. The brass is then melted and poured into the mould. Once the brass has hardened the mould is broken and the piece is then sanded and polished.
Our brass hardware is all made using lost wax casting techniques by George. He is based in the vibrant, busy and fast moving capital of the Ghanaian Ashanti Region called Kumasi. George started working with AARVEN in 2018 when we met him on our first trip to Ghana. We bought about 20 hooks to gauge the interest and they flew off the shelves. AARVEN is now one of George’s biggest customers. George has been practicing his craft for around 15 years. He learnt from his uncle whom he was living with at the time. He really loves working with brass casting. He did not finish school and was unsure how to earn a living until he joined the family casting business and his love for his craft has pushed him forwards.
