A pot of bronze is heated in a furnace until molten. The liquid metal is then raised on a hoist and poured into the sand-encased moulds. (We were shown how to get out of the building quickly in case of ‘explosions’!) When the bronze has cooled and solidified, the ceramic is chipped away and – lo and behold! – the bronze Aphra emerges into the world. Her head, which had been made first, watched the process with dignified admiration. We are indebted to Mike Longhurst FRPS for these fine photographs of the furnace process.