Lost Wax Casting of Idols and Artefacts in Ancient India

Here we will focuse on the lost wax casting technique, also known as "Madhuchista Vidhanam" in Sanskrit, employed in ancient India for creating intricate metal sculptures and idols. This process involved using a wax model as the base for producing metal replicas. The technique was widely used during the Chola era to create exquisite bronze idols and icons. It was also employed for producing idols using a combination of five metals (gold, silver, lead, copper, and zinc), known as "Pancha-Loha" idols.

Literary Sources

Several ancient Indian texts mention the lost wax metal casting process:

• Vishnu-samhita: Chapter 14 of this 5th Century CE text, which is part of the Vishnu-purana, mentions the creation of a wax model before making a metal replica.

• Manasara: Chapter 68 of this architectural and town planning text provides details on the Madhuchista Vidhana process.

• Manasollasa and Abhilashitha-chintamani: These 12th Century CE works offer detailed accounts of preparing wax patterns and slurry coatings.

The Process

The lost wax casting process involved the following steps:

1. Creating a Wax Model: A pattern of the desired shape was first crafted from beeswax.

2. Preparing the Mold: Coatings of a clay slurry, consisting of clay mixed with charred rice husk and sodium chloride, were applied to the wax model.

3. Removing the Wax: The mold was baked, causing the wax to melt and leave a hollow cavity.

4. Casting the Metal: The refractory shell was supported in a box filled with a sand-clay mixture, and molten metal was poured into the cavity.

5. Finishing Touches: After the metal solidified, the mold was carefully dismantled, and the metal casting was refined and finished through filing, chiseling, engraving, and polishing.

The lost wax casting technique enabled the creation of highly intricate and detailed metal sculptures, which were often targeted for theft and smuggling due to their beauty and value. This technique stands as a testament to the advanced metallurgical knowledge and artistic skills present in ancient India.