Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1895-12-12
WAX MODELS FOR SHOW WINDOWS
How They Are Copied From the
Living Subject.

A comparatively new industry in New
York Is that of making wax models for
show-wndows. Until two years ago only
the inferior grades were made here, the
better figures all coming from abroad.
Though the home-manufactured article
has not entirely displaced the foreign,
the wax figures now made here are equal
to any imported, even those coming from
Vienna, which has long held the palm
for making wax models.
All the figures are made from living
models, most of whom are found on the
East Side among the Italians. A firm
which manufactures wax figures is always
on the lookout for a pretty face, and
the models are well paid. The chief
modeller makes periodical excursions
among the people OF the extreme East
and West sides of New York. and keeps
his eyes open for pretty, well-cut features.
Whenever he spots face to his liking
he opens negotiations with the owner. or
or 1t is a child with its parents, and
pays literally for a sitting OF two or
three hours. BY long experience the
manufacturers find that the best figures
can be modelled from the heads found
in the lower quarters Of the town. They
is extremely difficult to find except among
that class of people. whose complexion
Also when soap and water have been
plentifully applied, is far more natural
Intellectual expression Is not required IN
a wax ngure. ana ls even draw Dack;
The first step in the process OF making
a high-grade wax show-figure is 10 cast
i'm wax a head and bust in the rougn. III
is, of course, hollow, ana looks IKE
huge wax potato. The artist then tikes
~ AAaic "a
block of wax into some resemblance 70
a human head Knife In hand. and with
the model before him, he then carefully
cuts away the wax until an exact re-
production has been made OF the face OF
his sitter He puts the fintS on the wax
to COPY the models complexion, ana com
pletes every detail with the utmost care
Then the hair, eyebrows, and eyelasnes
are put in. Only natural hair Is used
and il can be brushed and done up IL
any style The purchaser pleases.
The modelling, OF the eyes ana pus.lne
in of the eyelashes are the most delicate
parts OF the whole process. Each mar y
put i'm separately, both on the mead ana
for the eyebrows and eyelashes. Inc
one ration is performed with noe needle,
and takes a long time. When implanted
i'm this manner the hair can be treated
Just as though ii was growing on a ilVlns
head. 1t can be washed and brushed ana
taken down and put up IN any styie,
lust as i'm nature. This sort of thing Is
poss bic only with first-cisss heads which
often cost $50 apiece. The average price
of those seen in the big dry-goods stores
is about 800
The price depends not only upon the
workmanship, but upon the quality OF the
wax. good wax head VIII never De
come greasy and shiny from neat, ane
will stand without injury a comparatively
high temperature. The surface is nro-
tected by a coating OF fine powder whlci
is blown on while the wax is slight,
softened by heat. The composition o
high -grade wax Is carefully guarded b.
the manufacturers, each having Secret
process Of his own.
When the mouth OF wax figure Is
shown slightly open real teeth are In
serted AS the faces will be seen from
distance, the eyelashes and eyebrows arr
slightly exaggerated, or they would no
Expert wax modellers are scarce ano
command a high salary The trade gene
rally runs along from father TO son, be
cause the wax modellers, one and all, re
fuse TO teach their craft 20 any but mem
bers OF their own families. Wax Inquire
are frequently used by medical colleges
and institutions, and one or two modeller
devote their time almost exclusively IT,
getting up special models for the pur
poses Of medical instruction. A greai
many orders have been executed for "Tril
by feet, and a fad has lately sprung vi
for small groups in wax Of an allegorica
nature. In big dry-goods house In Bos-
ton there is a complete group In wa,
representing Lieutenant Paary and his ex
petition at the North Pole.
The wax modellers are often require
to get up figures to be used In practic
jokes Not long ago party of student
from a western college brought on photo
graphs and measurements OF one Of the
professors They had a life-slze figur
made, which cost them $780, and they re
turned in high glee with an exact repro
duction OF the professor. in wax. How
was to be used they refused to say. ex
cept that IL was to figure in practicf
Joke OF a more or less grewsome nature
Many Of the dry-goods houses require n
heads of their show figures to be remod-'
led after well-known actresses.
Show figures are also mfde out OF pap'e
mache, which is much cheaper and NOR
lasting. bur does not give nearly as goo