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Table 4: Physical characteristics relating to different casting processes observable on a bronze sculpture

Table 4
Table 4
Physical characteristics relating to different casting processes observable on a bronze sculpture
For more details on casting processes please refer to the General Introduction (§2). Warning: It is essential to read the full details in the text (I.1§2) to avoid any confusion. Whereas the presence of a particular feature can rule out a particular process, the reverse is not true. For instance, the absence of a fingerprint on a cast does not discount the lost-wax process as the method of facture. Further, the features mentioned here are the most common ones encountered for a given process carried out under “normal” conditions, but any accident may imply diversion from the usual process and generate unexpected features. If, for example, in a direct lost-wax process some of the core has to be reworked in order to adjust the inner thickness of the wax before pouring the bronze, small spherical globules and/or fingerprints may appear on the internal surface of the finished bronze.
LOCATION OF EVIDENCE DISTINCTIVE FEATURES PRESSING MOLD PARTS onto a REMOVABLE, HARD PATTERN EMBEDDING of COMBUSTIBLE MODEL in MOLD and BURNING IT OUT
sand casting clay piece mold cuttlebone lost wax life cast (solid)
direct indirect
traditional wax slab lasagna cut-back core slush molding wax slab
external surface fingerprints X     X X X X X X  
seam line (due to wax piece mold, refractory mold, etc.) X X X     X X X X X
internal surface soft/round contours depends on the model and mold material X     X     X    
geometric contours possibly X   possibly   possibly X      
small spherical globules         if using a poured core   if using a poured core possibly possibly  
fingerprints rare X   X X possibly   X X  
brush or other tool marks X possibly   X X X   X X  
drip marks         X     X X  
core flashing relatively uncommon and straight X   if hollow cast or relief X X X X X  
in the metal wall wax-to-wax joints         X     X X  
inclusion of ash                   X