A clay core shaped like the lamp is first created and coated with a layer of decorated wax. This is then covered with a second layer of clay and fired: the wax melts away, leaving its imprint inside the mold. Molten bronze is poured into the resulting cavity.
Once cooled, the clay casing is broken open and the object is finished with files and chisels, with final details such as small serpents and engraved decorations carefully added.