Very nice Moro dagger for comment!!!

Tim Simmons · 2nd September 2005, 07:44 PM

I am having another hard look and I am sure the piece at the top of the scabbard has been cast from a wax pattern as you can see that the top rings have been formed by a tool making indentations into a soft substance. Tim

Rick · 2nd September 2005, 07:52 PM

You've got a point there Tim .

Wouldn't thin sheet such as the main cut out area be the very devil to cast in lost wax though ?
Especially with comparatively crude equipment ?

You'd need to have sprues everywhere , no ?

Tim Simmons · 2nd September 2005, 08:00 PM

Hi Rick.
On small pieces like this, I would not under estimate the skills of the casters. Casting a small thin sheet in a suitable alloy is not that difficult. As I said this looks like it was made where they knew how. Tim

Tim Simmons · 2nd September 2005, 08:16 PM

This is a lot bigger than the scabbards decorative pieces. A cast temple complex from a wax sheet original. Tim

Rick · 2nd September 2005, 08:28 PM

Fascinating !
I see your point ; now my only question would be why leave the finished piece so lumpy ?
I guess only the artisan could answer that one .

Tim Simmons · 2nd September 2005, 08:34 PM

Yes to our straight line thinking minds you would want to file the bubbles off. There is some magic in casting and the makers may have seen a good and successful cast as a sort of pure thing. Without having a chat with them it is a little difficult to know. Tim

2nd September 2005, 08:16 PM	#4
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,875	This is a lot bigger than the scabbards decorative pieces. A cast temple complex from a wax sheet original. Tim Attached Images

2nd September 2005, 07:44 PM	#1
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,875	I am having another hard look and I am sure the piece at the top of the scabbard has been cast from a wax pattern as you can see that the top rings have been formed by a tool making indentations into a soft substance. Tim

2nd September 2005, 07:52 PM	#2
Rick Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 6,347	You've got a point there Tim . Wouldn't thin sheet such as the main cut out area be the very devil to cast in lost wax though ? Especially with comparatively crude equipment ? You'd need to have sprues everywhere , no ?

2nd September 2005, 08:00 PM	#3
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,875	Hi Rick. On small pieces like this, I would not under estimate the skills of the casters. Casting a small thin sheet in a suitable alloy is not that difficult. As I said this looks like it was made where they knew how. Tim

2nd September 2005, 08:28 PM	#5
Rick Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 6,347	Fascinating ! I see your point ; now my only question would be why leave the finished piece so lumpy ? I guess only the artisan could answer that one .

2nd September 2005, 08:34 PM	#6
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,875	Yes to our straight line thinking minds you would want to file the bubbles off. There is some magic in casting and the makers may have seen a good and successful cast as a sort of pure thing. Without having a chat with them it is a little difficult to know. Tim