Final answer:
During lost-wax casting, the wax original is melted away and lost when heat is applied to the mold. The melted wax leaves behind channels into which molten metal is poured to form the sculpture. Each wax mold is unique and cannot be reused after the process.
Step-by-step explanation:
In the process of lost-wax casting, a sculpture technique utilized since ancient times, the wax original plays a critical role. Initially, a sculptor creates a clay mold of the intended sculpture, followed by the application of a wax layer that mirrors the intended final form. This wax is then encased in plaster or another heat-resistant material. When subjected to intense heat, the wax melts and empties out of the mold, leaving behind a cavity with the shape of the original design. Molten metal is subsequently poured into these cavities through channels that were formed by the melting wax. Once the metal cools and solidifies, the outer mold is destroyed to retrieve the metal sculpture. As a result, the wax original is melted away and lost during this process, and cannot be reused or preserved for future use, nor is it transformed into metal.