The space vacated by the wax was then filled with molten bronze. When the bronze cooled and hardened, the clay was removed from outside and inside. The bronze object was then cleaned and polished by hand. The basic principle of the lost wax method of casting remains unchanged, although many new techniques and refinements have been developed. The most significant development was the introduction of an intermediate mold from which multiple wax models are made.
Cast bronze is a permanent medium.
Archaeologists have unearthed bronze artifacts buried thousands of years. Wally Shoop, a recognized expert in bronze casting, feels a strong sense of responsibility when crafting works of art which may survive dozens of generations.