Fig. 214.—Limestone Half-Mould, with Cast from Same (No. 531). Ht. 4½ in.
Towards one end of the case are objects illustrating the processes of metal work. A Greek vase of the sixth century B.C. depicts a man in the act of thrusting a mass of metal into a blazing furnace. Anvil, tongs, and hammers are visible (No. 526). Beside it is a reproduction of a Vase in the Ashmolean Museum at Oxford, showing an armourer at work on a helmet (No. 527). Two limestone moulds of a very early period are for casting primitive implements (No. 528). Note also a mould (No. 529) for a metal weight of a type similar to that with the head of Herakles in Case 41. The mould shows a female head with a cornucopia before it, apparently a personification of Profit (Κέρδος), whose name appears above the head. Another mould (No. 530) is intended for a series of lead weights of values αʹ to ηʹ, that is, 1 to 8. (Compare a similar set in Case 42.) It should be observed that the moulds seen here are, for the most part, only half-moulds, or in some cases even less. A corresponding half-mould had to be placed in position before casting could be effected. This is well shown by a limestone half-mould from Rome (No. 531; fig. 214) for casting lead counters, with designs representing Victory, Fortune, and Athena. Here can be seen the channels by which the molten metal was introduced, and the holes for the studs joining the two half-moulds together. In one of these a lead stud still remains.
Fig. 215.—Part of Mould for a Ring of the shape indicated (No. 532).
The steatite mould for a ring of the Mycenaean period (No. 532; Fig. 215) required a counterpart piece, and a third piece at the bottom to complete it. Some of the steatite moulds which have no channels for the molten metal, were probably used for the production of ornaments by pressing and rubbing thin foil into the forms.
Fig. 216.—Greek Potter at Work (No. 533). Ht. 4½ in.
Fig. 217.—Potter's Wheel in Terracotta (No. 534). Diam. 9¾ in.
