>>19823
I do have a statue idea I'm thinking of working in to a story like that in fact! But rather than a volcanic eruption it would work more like a plaster cast…

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The girl or boy would be coated with something like vaseline then stand in a sort of tank and strike the required pose while very quick-drying plaster or something of the sort is poured in around them, hardening too quickly for them to look like they're holding their breath or looking scared etc, just naturally posed smiles (or whatever the buyer wants). The block of plaster is then taken to a kiln where it is fired at such a temperature that the child contained inside is reduced to ask which is then shaken out and the now hollow shape flushed to clear out any clinging ash. This is then used as a mold into which bronze or even some kind of resin can be poured. The plaster is then chipped away revealing a perfect child statue!