plaque; casting; stage of manufacture

This object is for display as an example of one of the many stages in the ‘Lost Wax’ and brass casting process of making Benin wall plaques. This stage of the process is the part that is ‘lost’ when the mould is heated and is not normally seen.

Wax covered cast with detail in wooden base.

This object is an example of one of the stages of the 'Lost Wax' process. This stage of the process is the part that is 'lost' when the mould is heated, and is usually not seen in the creation process. This detailed wax model is used to make the clay mould for a brass plaque - soft clay is carefully added on top of the delicate wax, then covered with heavier clay before it is heated. The wax then melts, leaving the imprint in the clay mould.

object
MUSEUM NUMBER
HC.1999.938.4
PLACE
COLLECTION
MEASUREMENTS
overall: 380 x 350 x 40 mm
MATERIAL/TECHNIQUE
clay; wax
CATEGORY
Education Handling Collection: Anthropology
LOCATION
In storage
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Collection Information

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