Some days ago we were in Pistoia (Tuscany), visiting The Salvadori Arte foundry. They makes bronze sculptures for the most important Italian and foreign artists as Barni, Mitoraj, Botero. We was there thanks to Giovanni Balderi‘s new works!
Salvadori Arte casts works in bronze using the “cire perdue” or lost wax method, the same technique used through the ages first by the Egyptians, then by the Greeks, Etruscan and Roman. This technique consists in covering with wax, that will be later modelled a refractory clay support; then another clay layer is put on the wax so that is encased between two masses of clay. By heating this clay container to a high heat, the wax melts and drips ut through some purposely made holes. The liquid alloy is then poured into the thin space left by the wax, usually just a few millimetres, then the allow cools and hardens the bronze cast has been accomplished. At last, through oxidation and thermal treatment, the bronze receives the patina.
