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Figure 23

Diagram of a version of the lasagna technique:

1) a plaster piece mold is built up in sections around the clay model;

2) the reusable mold is disassembled;

3) sections of the mold are lined with sheets of clay that Cellini referred to as “lasagna” and that create the space to be filled eventually by bronze;

4) a fire-resistant clay core is built up around an iron armature to fit snugly into the lasagna-lined mold and then dried;

5) the piece mold is disassembled in order to remove the lasagna;

6) the core is baked and reinforced by binding with wires; the fired core and plaster piece mold are assembled; the armature and mold extension at the base help to preserve the space created by the lasagna;

7) molten wax poured into the space between the core and the piece mold creates the inter-model; when freed from the mold it is reworked to the artist’s liking;

8) the sprue system is joined to the inter-model and invested with refractory mold material;

9) the mold is then heated until dry and all traces of wax are burned out;

10) molten bronze is poured into the baked mold until it is full;

11) when the metal has cooled, the refractory mold is broken away, the armature and core removed, and the sprue system cut off;

12) separately cast parts, such as a base, may be added at this stage, and the surface color may be enhanced by various means, including patination or gilding.

Sketch based on Benvenuto Cellini (Italian 1500–1571), Bust of Bindo Altoviti, 1549, H. 85.2 cm (Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum inv. S26e21). See .