| Decoration
of White Bronze |
The
same decoration devices as those used on other metal
artifacts have been applied to objects made of this alloy:
Casting
Molds used generally involve geometrical forms;
Chiseling
Using a hammer and various types of chisel to create
different patterns on the surface of objects. To prevent
them from being deformed or broken in the process, vessels
are first filled with molten pitch mixed with plaster;
Engraving
This method is similar to chiseling, but here the artisan
uses his hammer and various chisels to take off some metal
from the ground surface in order to create patterns;
Repouses
In this method, unlike chiseling and engraving, where the
desired patterns are concavely carved into the surface of
the object, artisan uses punches to create convex volumes.
Inlaying
Archaeological evidence shows that this method was used
predominantly in Islamic period (in previous periods, it
was used in ornamenting other metals). White Bronze
objects made in Islamic period are inlaid with silver. In
this process, the desired pattern is first delineated in
an uninterrupted or dotted line marked with a pointed
chisel, then the background is lightly heated and silver
wire applied following the lines of the pattern and beaten
onto it.
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