Minerals and Metals in Ancient India v1.c22.s6.37

v1.c22.s6.37

Stone or terracotta moulds were used for solid casting of high tin (21-25%) bronze objects. None of the statuettes unearthed is sufficiently large to have been hollow-cast, but from the second century BC onwards, the *cire perdue* process was frequently employed for the fabrication of household vessels and utensils. Copper, bronze and silver embossed reliefs were made by hammering the metal sheet on to a solid metal die. The techniques were known to the Indians but the Greeks, Śakas, Pārthians, Kuṣāṇas etc. introduced new patterns and styles for the art and household objects.