| 1. Moulding and casting the statue | ||
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 | The client had an antique carved wooden statue. He wanted this replicated and cast in a fine grade (to show all details) of outdoor cement in order to make outdoor tables, each consisting of two statues supporting a table top. From the original carved wooden statue, Pierre first made a mould. Here you can see the white stiffened outer mould and the two-part wooden support (meeting at the "parting line". You can't see the inner rubber "skin" that captures all the details (for that see the examples shown in the Lion Table Project). When the two halves are closed, the complete mould will be turned upside down for pouring the casting material. | |
 | Here you can see the upside down mould (clamped together) sitting on top of Pierre's specially constructed vibrator platform. | |
 | Here's a close-up of that vibrator platform. The downward pointing power drill in the bottom left corner is attached to a metal receiver with an eccentric hole so that when the drill is turned on the whole platform vibrates. The vibrations during the hardening process ensure that any bubbles move to the top where they are either released or can do no harm (since this is the base). | |
 | Finally, the casting is ready and can be removed. The casting is in the foreground and the opened mould in the background. Notice the reinforcing metal rod running up and down the statue's lenght and poking out of the capital above its head. This will be used for attaching the statue to the cement table top. It also gives the entire table strength and rigidity so that it won't crack with use. | |
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| 2. Casting the table top | ||
 | Next the table top must be cast. Here the casting material is still wet and just starting the drying process. | |
 | Here is one detail of the table top casting (again upside down). Note the wooden bar securing the positioning of one the metal rods which will leave a hole for the table top to fit over the protruding bar in the statue's capital. | |
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| 3. The finished outdoor table | ||
 | Here is a view looking down on the finished table. | |
 | Here is another view lower down showing how well the details of the original wood carving are preserved in the final casting. | |
 | Here is a version designed as a pedestal table using only one of the statues. | |
 | Here you can see some details of the base of the statue. | |
 | Here you can see some details of the statue's face. Notice how the fine casting material used captures all the original details faithfully, while still having the durability to stand up to outside exposure. | |
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