Cast

a term applied by artists to an impression taken by means of wax or plaster of Paris, of a coin, bust, statue, face, or any other model. Powdered plaster of Paris is mixed into a paste, spread on the surface of the model, and suffered to harden to form a mold. It is then removed, dried thoroughly, and hardened with linseed oil. It may be made in two or more sections, the edges of which should be fitted carefully together. The mold is then filled with plaster of Paris which reproduces the features of the original model. In case of a living face, the eyebrows and hair are first anointed with sweet oil to prevent adhering, and pasteboard tubes are inserted in the nostrils to allow the model to breathe. Plaster casts may be hardened with soap, white wax, rosin, and linseed oil until they resemble marble in appearance and are able to withstand washing to remove dust and grime. See Sculpture; Casting; Bell