Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

The lost-wax casting of icons, utensils, bells, and other items in South India

  • Feature
  • Archaeotechnology
  • Published:
JOM Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Indian artisans and craftsmen have long been masters at extracting and shaping metals and alloys, as proven by archaeological finds from the 2nd—3rd millennia B.C. For example, two well-known artifacts, castings of the dancing girl of Mohenjo Daro and the Mother Goddess of Adichanallur, Tamilnadu, depict a high degree of metallurgical knowledge. Those castings were formed by the lost wax process, which later was modified and became known as investment casting. In various parts of India, this age-old casting process is still being practiced, without any major modifications. This paper discusses details of the process used by the Indian artisans of Swamimalai, Tamilnadu, and Mannar, Kerala, South India in shaping copper-base alloys into icons and utensils, bells, and lamps.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. E.G. West,Copper and Its Alloys (New York: Ellis Horward Ltd., John Wiley and Sons, 1982), pp. 106–110.

    Google Scholar 

  2. Metals Handbook, vol. 2, 9th ed. (Materials Park, OH: American Society of Materials, 1979), p. 418.

  3. J.E. Hughes,Metals and Materials (May/June 1981), pp. 51–58.

  4. McGraw Hill Encyclopedia of Science and Technology vol. 2 (1997), pp. 379–380.

  5. Martha Goodway,Journal of Metals, 40 (3) (1988), pp. 36–37.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  6. Martha Goodway,Journal of Metals, 40 (4) (1988), pp. 62–63.

    Google Scholar 

  7. S.G.K. Pillai, R.M. Pillai, and A.D. Damodaran,Journal of Metals, 44 (3) (1992), pp. 38–40.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  8. The Hindu Weekly Magazine Edn., 3 (17 April 1994), IX.

  9. R.M. Pillai, S.G.K. Pillai, and A.D. Damodaran,Metals, Materials and Processes, 13 (2–4) (2001) 291–300.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  10. R.M. Pillai, A.D. Damodaran, and S.G.K. Pillai,Trans. IIM (in press).

  11. Sharada Srinivasan,Journal of Metals, 50 (7) (1998), pp. 44–47, 49–50.

    Google Scholar 

  12. S.G.K. Pillai et al.,Journal of Metals, 46 (3) (1994), pp. 59–40.

    Google Scholar 

  13. R.M. Pillai, S.G.K. Pillai, and A.D. Damodaran,Practical Metallography, 32 (9) (1995), pp. 478–482.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  14. Metal Craft (Bangalore: Pubr. Crafts Council of India, 1993).

  15. C. Sivaramamurti,South Indian Bronzes (Madras: Lalit Kala Academy, 1981).

    Google Scholar 

  16. N. Gopalakrishnan,Ancient Indian Knowledge in Metals and Alloys Heritage Publications, Series 38 (Thiruvananthapuram, India: Indian Institute of Scientific Heritage, 2001), pp. 20–21.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Regional Research Laboratory, Council of Scientific & Industrial Research, 695019, Thiruvananthapuram, India

    R. M. Pillai, S. G. K. Pilhii & A. D. Damodaran

Authors
  1. R. M. Pillai
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. S. G. K. Pilhii
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. A. D. Damodaran
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Pillai, R.M., Pilhii, S.G.K. & Damodaran, A.D. The lost-wax casting of icons, utensils, bells, and other items in South India. JOM 54, 12–16 (2002). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02709214

Download citation

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02709214

Keywords

Search

Navigation