The Camden journal. [volume] (Camden, S.C.) 1866-1891, 1890-12-04

is taken apart again 1t Is PROVIDED Win
little Clocks" which prevent the pieces
from slipping apart at an inopportunc
moment.
While these operations on the hand are
under way the bodies which are to COM
plcte the figures are being made in a
somewhat different manner. As explained
above only those portions of the upper
part of the body as are to be exposed
are made in clay. The hands, arms and
eXtremitics are made in most cases from
living models.
When a group has been designed the
different positions of the hands and arms
are made from male and female models,
and plaster cast is made from them in
the same way as described above. In a
great many cases where certain poses are
needed casts are also made from the
lower limbs. Even the trunk is some
times reproduced in this way.
As none but the exposed portions of ~
figure are made of wax, on account Of
the great cost partly, the bodies are
made of papier-mache. The molds for
these portions of the figure are made in
two pieces for each lower limb, upper
limb, forearm, upper arm Or trunk.
These molds, when perfectly hard, are
ready for the mannikin maker. A woman
does this work.
The first operation is the fitting of
pieces of cardboard in each half mold.
TO this is glued laycro Of coarse bagging
and after that alternate layers of car
board and bagging until the structure is
nearly quarter of an inch thich. 1t is
then coated on the inside with thin
layer of plaster.
When all these parts are taken from
the molds and put together the result i:
very graceful reproduction Of a nude
human figure, minus the arms, head anc
neck in most cases, though the arm i:
very often made in this way.
Numbers of these figures stand abou
in the mannikin room awaiting the time
when the wax portions are to be attached
and the whole figure made ready for ex
hibition. 70 insure that the final cloth
ing of the mannikins shall hang properly
the maurikins are invested with complete
suits of knit underclothing.
We will now follow the head and the
other portions of the figure which are tc
be finished in wax. These particular
molds are now taken in charge by Mr.
Thys and are carried down to the wa1
room. This room is sort of hot box
the temperature beins at 12O degrees al
all times.
The most delicate operation of all is
now made. In long, wooden tank al
one end of the room the mold is placed
in water. Connected with this bath is s
steampipe. When the mold is ready
the steam is turned on, and, the water
becoming heated, the mould i: soor
ready for the box. .--...' ''..'''
The wax used for the figures is the
best obtainable quality of American
bleached beeswax, which comes in thir
disks. It is perfectly white wher
bought, and in this state it is melted
down until it has reached the consistency
of oil.
AS it is not desirable to make the head:
and hands of such pale material, the ar
tist colors it to suit his needs. For {
head and face he mixes in the wax wher
melted certain quantities OF dry colors
These colors are Prussian blue, crimson
lake and silver white. When the wax il
meant for heads requiring more sombr'
tint or for the hands of males, some burn
umber is added.
II is necessary to insure a good wa!
mold to have an almost exact tempera
ture in the wax aud the heated plaste
mold. Experience has taught the artis
the proper time to take out his plaster
and when it is just hot enough it IS oilet
to prevent the wax from sticking AM
stood on its head Oh the stone floor.