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	PROCESS: The "Lost Wax" Brass Process
	The "lost wax" brass process is an ancient tecnique used for making brass models and sculptures. Amongst the Asante of Ghana this technique was used to mend the bones of ancestors which are considered sacred. It was also used to make the gold ornaments so beloved in West Africa. Nowadays brass is more commonly used... First a detailed model object is made completey out of bees wax. This wax mould is then hardened with ash and prepared for the kiln where recycled brass is melted and replaces the wax - which is "lost". See how it's done below.

	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!


	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...


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


	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

	Building up the wax model into a 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 moulds build up fibrous material is added to the mixture to strengthen it

	Preparing the moulds for the kiln

	Crucibles are made that exactly fit over the finished the finished moulds (right)


	How it works is that you put the brass in here...	And it fits on top like this


	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


	A trench kiln is prepared and 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

	Cleaning and finishing

	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


	This old man is working on a PG model.... something for everyone!


	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

		Find out more about beads... If you would like to find out more about beads we recommend bead-database.org. As well as bead related news you can also consult the online bead database that has been put together by some of the top bead experts in the world or if you have a bead question you can post it to the forum. A truly great resource for anyone interested in beads.