Casting the Riace Bronzes: Modern Assumptions and Ancient Facts |
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Authors: | Herbert Hoffmann,& Nigel Konstam |
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Affiliation: | Podere Istine, Radda in Chianti ,Italy,;Centro d'Arte Verrocchio, Casole d'Elsa, Italy |
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Abstract: | This article argues that classical archaeologists have seriously underestimated the output of heat required to melt a large quantity of bronze and therefore have wrongly reconstructed the ancient casting process. The idea that sufficient metal for casting a bronze of monumental proportions could be heated in a crucible with a charcoal fire ventilated by bellows is not realistic. The following observations are based on solid foundry experience: Nigel Konstam, a bronze sculptor, for many years supervised the casting of monumental bronzes comparable in size to those from Riace. This article has been written by Herbert Hoffmann drawing on Konstam's notes |
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