Jack Novak responds:

According to a Google search the melting point of waxed shellac is somewhere
between 77 C and 90 C (170 F - 194 F). The melting point for dewaxed shellac
would be higher.

Does shellac melt like ice or like butter? I.e. does it soften significantly
at body temperature or is it quite hard until it gets near the melting point?
I don't know, but I'd guess that if it's soft at body temp, it could still
be a problem.

Mike