Very nice Moro dagger for comment!!!

Tim Simmons · 2nd September 2005, 06:53 PM

The reason the metal has 'bubbles' is because the brass parts on the scabbard have been cast as one piece and then finnished ,pierced and ingraved. The original pattern was made in unrefined bees wax which can be get skumy as you work it, from ambient heat or from your hands. The bubbles are where very ,very small balls of wax are stuck to the surface of the pattern and thus appear in the final casting which odviously went well as it looks like the maker just polished it straight from the cast. Tim . I could also be very wrong. If they are gold plated? fire gilding has gone on for centuries. Judging by the guality of this piece it was made at the center!!!not in the back woods.

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, 06:53 PM	#1
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,844	The reason the metal has 'bubbles' is because the brass parts on the scabbard have been cast as one piece and then finnished ,pierced and ingraved. The original pattern was made in unrefined bees wax which can be get skumy as you work it, from ambient heat or from your hands. The bubbles are where very ,very small balls of wax are stuck to the surface of the pattern and thus appear in the final casting which odviously went well as it looks like the maker just polished it straight from the cast. Tim . I could also be very wrong. If they are gold plated? fire gilding has gone on for centuries. Judging by the guality of this piece it was made at the center!!!not in the back woods. Last edited by Tim Simmons; 2nd September 2005 at 07:30 PM. Reason: spelling and other thoughts

2nd September 2005, 08:16 PM	#5
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,844	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	#2
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,844	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	#3
Rick Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 6,336	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	#4
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,844	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	#6
Rick Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 6,336	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	#7
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,844	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