Help: making a mold of column

[citizen4nr]

Hi, I'm new here, and my sculpture experience is very limited. Here's my problem: I want to make a mold of an old cast iron capital from a column. Its about 7 x 10 inches and is in three pieces. It has very deep, ornate scrolls and decorations on it. What material can I use in a mold that can pick up those details? also, is there a method of applying the mold? I've tried some sort of alginate based material, but when I tried to take it off, it tore apart and pieces got stuck in the decorative parts.

[Merlion]

One frequent poster here with the name Landseer may be able to offer you advice on this. If he does not come in here, perhaps you can send him a 'private message' which you can do by first opening up one of his postings, and next clicking the link on the top right hand corner of the page.

[Landseer]

Hi, I'm new here, and my sculpture experience is very limited. Here's my problem: I want to make a mold of an old cast iron capital from a column. Its about 7 x 10 inches and is in three pieces. It has very deep, ornate scrolls and decorations on it. What material can I use in a mold that can pick up those details? also, is there a method of applying the mold? I've tried some sort of alginate based material, but when I tried to take it off, it tore apart and pieces got stuck in the decorative parts.No doubt you have a corinthian capital there, if it's 3 pieces I'd say without seeing a picture that it is square like this one not full round;

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b375/Randall2/cap.jpg

Since it's only 3 pieces I'd say it's 3 sections of iron bolted together rather than this one which every leaf is an individual part.

Typically these capitals are VERY complex with lots of deep undercuts, and being cast iron meant they made them in very thin sections which are almost impossible to ever cast in a mold of this with something like concrete or plaster.

Need pics and what you intend to do with it, but I'm inclined to tell you from the get-go without even seeing it- that this particular type of original is without question something meant to be tackled by professionals, and even then, designs like this with so many undercuts, recesses and opposing angles can strike trepidation in the hearts of even the most seasoned professional.
I've made molds since I was 16- 30 years and even I would hesitate and think twice before molding a corinthian capital...

Here's another example in cast-iron, multiple pieces;

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b375/Randall2/ironcapital.jpg