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The next step in making the bronze statue (note that the sequence is reversed since the postings are in reverse order) is to add the sprue, vents, and any supporting grid work. The vents (most notable on the horns) keep air from being trapped in the mold when the bronze is poured in. The cup forms the opening where the bronze will be poured.

The next step - which is somewhat long - is to create the actual ceramic mold around the model. This is by successively dipping the wax model in a special ceramic suspension followed by adding a layer of fine sand. The dipping and sand steps are repeating with increasing coarseness of sand. You have to let the layers dry for about three hours so in commercial foundries you dip many models at once or go and do something else between dips.