| To make a bronze vessel, a clay model of the
bronze vessel-to-be had to be fashioned. When it hardened, soft
clay was pressed against it, taking on the negative impression of both
its shape and decoration. These clay pieces were removed in
sections to form the piece-molds. The model was then shaved down
to become the core ( the walls of the bronze vessel would exactly equal
in thickness this layer that had been shaved off). The piece-molds
were then reassembled around the core. Molten bronze would then be
poured into the space between the mold and the core. After
cooling, the mold pieces were removed. Pre-cast appendages were
often inserted into the core-mold assemblage before casting; when the
vessel was produced, they became locked into place as the metal was
poured in.
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What does this sophisticated method of casting bronze imply about the level of ceramic technology during the same period? |
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