An Encyclopaedia of Indian Archaeology v1.c21.s10: 16.10 Moulds
An Encyclopaedia of Indian Archaeology v1.c21.s10
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16.10 Moulds
v1.c21.s10.1
Moulds bear the inverse shape of the objects to be made. They are prepared either from models in clay, wax, wood or soapstone or by carving the desired designs in negative on such materials. Primitive man used baskets as moulds for making pottery. Later terracotta moulds came into use. One-piece moulds served well for small clay sculptures; in larger ones different parts were made from separate moulds and luted together. For casting a solid metal sculpture a wax model was coated with clay. After firing the wax ran out through the vents and in its place molten metal poured into the hollow mould turned into a solid sculpture. In making hollow metal statues clay models were given a coating of wax over which a clay coating was applied. On baking the wax ran out through holes and molten metal poured into the empty space took the desired shape. This ‘lost wax’ technique has come down from the Harappa times.
v1.c21.s10.2
Coin moulds ranging from *c.* 1st to 12th century have been reported from Rohtak, SUNET, Taxila, MATHURA, ATRANJIKHERA, SANCHI, RAJGHAT⁴, KONDAPUR and KADKAL. The numerous KHOKHRAKOT (Rohtak) coin-moulds of *c.* 1st century throw light on the technique of minting coins [3.1]. Moulds from other sites, very few in number, indicate a less complicated technique, and some moulds could be used repeatedly. The MATHURA moulds, bearing in a single coin-socket designs found on different types of punch-marked coins, are perhaps cases of forgery.
v1.c21.s10.3
Sahni, B., 1945, *Technique of Casting Coins in India*, Bombay.—K.K. THAPLYAL