Britannica AI Icon

Quick Summary

In sculpture, molds are used to create copies of existing works or as a crucial step in producing a finished piece. Flexible molds, made from materials like gelatin, vinyl, or rubber, offer a simpler alternative to traditional piece molds for reproducing complex, rigid originals with undercuts. These molds are created by pouring melted material around the original model, and their flexibility allows for easy removal without damage. The mold is then filled with materials such as plaster, concrete, or resin, and must be supported by a plaster case to prevent distortion during the casting process. This technique is particularly useful for creating multiple casts from a single mold.1

Summary created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.

Ask Britannica AI about this topic

Britannica doesn't have a full article on this topic, so we've curated a list of our relevant coverage.