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| Bronze metallurgy |
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| The high achievement of ancient bronze metallurgy
depended on the efficient mining of ores and the
development of sophisticated foundry technology.
Bronze was the first alloy used in China. The
appropriate proportions of copper, tin and lead was
well controlled and gradually refined. Stone, clay and
metal molds were widely used. Among these techniques,
clay piece-mold was particularly highly developed. Combined casting
techniques of
compound metals indicated a perfect alloy-making process. Surface
treatments such as
inlaying and gilding were also highly refined. Lost-wax casting was
an important advance
in foundry technology. Magic bronze mirrors of the Western Han, with
their extraordinary
optical feature, could be described as a last afterglow of China's
brilliant Bronze Age. |
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