Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1879-03-07
JAPANESE BRONZEs.
Ihe Process BY Which they are Manu-
featured.
From the London Globe.


In report to Sir Harry Parkes on
the commerce of Hiogo and Osaka for
the year 1878, which has just been is
sued by the foreign office. Consul Flow
ers says that the bronze, porcelain and
embroidery manufactures continue to
maintain their nigh reputation abroad,
and they have executed large orders for
the recent exhibition. The bronze
ware, he says, is made with the rudest
possible appliances. From the beauti-
full and richly chased articles which are
turned out, one would expect to see
large manufactures provided with mod
ern appliances Of every description, but
in reality the work shops are no better
than ordinary blacksmith shops. The
process is roughly as follows: The
molds, which, of course, vary accord
idc to the shape of the vase or bowl it
is desired to make, are made of wood,
sometimes covered with straw. On this
coating of clay is placed; over this
comes layer of wax, which is nodded
in the design required. Another thick
coating of clay is then added, and, the
inner wooden mold being taken out, the
orifice at each end is closed. Two holes
are then made at one end connecting
with the layer of wax, so as to enable
the wax, when melted, to run out, and
through these the molten bronze enters,
filling the interstices occupied by the
wax. The subsequent process of cast
ing is of the rudest kind. The earthen
mold is then placed in small clay
oven followed out in the floor of the
workshop, the size of which depends
upon that of the casting. The oven is
then filled with charcoal and closed,
with the exception of a circular open
ing at the top, on which chimney, II
foot or so high, is built of wet clay.
The oven is connected underground
with wooden bellows, protected from
the sparks and heat from the furnace
by small earthen or stone wall Il loot
high, and 'whic II is worked by hands
and feet. The first operation is to melt
the wax, which runs out leaving the
impression of the design stamped firm
ly in the surrounding layer of clay.
This done the mold Is taken out and al
lowed to cool. 1t is then put IA second
time into the furnace, as before, and
the molten bronze is then poured into
the mold through the holes by which
the wax escaped. After the bronze has
filled the mold the chimney is Knocked
off, the oven is supplied with fresh char
coal laid evenly round the mold, and a
lid being put on the oven, furnished
with small perforated holes, the bellows
are set to work again for an hour or
more, according to the size of the cast
ing taken. This operation generally
occupies day. When the casting is
taken out of the oven the earth outside
and inside is scraped Off and reveals
the vase or bowl in u rough state. II is
then put into the hands of rough work
men, boys being mostly employed i'll
this part of the work, by whom it is
polished and scraped with knife until
it presents smooth surface. 1t then
passes on to the carver, who fills in the
details Of the designs. When his work
is done the vase or bowl is dipped into
boiling solution of vinegar, sedge and
sulphate of copper, in order to give il
the proper color. A few finishing
touches in the way of polish are added
and the article is finished and ready for
sale"