E. Cobham Brewer 1810–1897. Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 1898.
Man of Wax.
A model man; like one fashioned in wax. Horace speaks of the “waxen arms of Telephus,” meaning model arms, or of perfect shape and colour; and the nurse says of Romeo, “Why, he’s a man of wax” (i. 3), which she explains by saying, “Nay, he’s a flower, i’ faith a very flower.”
