HOW OUR TILES ARE MADE

Each Foundry Art design is first carved by hand in sculptor's wax. From our original wax tiles we make multiple casts, or "patterns." At the foundry, these patterns are pressed into specially prepared, fine, moist sand. The patterns are carefully removed, leaving exact impressions of the designs in the sand. Then, into each cavity we pour white-hot molten bronze.

Illustration Photo

A crucible of molten bronze, ready to be poured

After the bronze cools, the raw tiles are excavated from the sand. Extra bronze surrounding the design is ground off, and the tiles are made square. Next, we put the tiles through several finishing steps to smooth their surface and give them just the right character — not too rough and not too refined. We then buff each tile, and brush on a protective coat of wax to slow down the natural patina process. Finally, with a soft cloth, we polish the tiles tiles by hand.