Monday, 7 October 2019

Islamic coin - wax impression and casting




Figure x. Adams.Z. Copper disc used to create wax impression.


This was the forth method of coin making that I tried. Out of a copper disc I cut out the Arabic text so that it was in negative. I used the disc to create an impression in a piece of wax which I fashioned into a coin shape. The result is seen in figure x above. I then proceeded to use a method of casting called "lost wax casting" to cast these wax impressions in silver.

Figure 3.20 - Adams.Z., (2019) Lost wax cast silver coins
This method produced pieces that were not quite to my liking for this particular project. The reason is, because of the wax being so delicate, there were finger prints and oblong surfaces left on the wax which show after casting. It did not have the effects that I was looking for, which I then realized, was to look machine made, like Bedouin coins are, but also to look old and slightly damaged because of use.

That being said, these coins do have a personal touch, quite literally because my finger prints are on it, but also because they were made by hand by me. Making jewellery that has a "hand-made feel" is a skill I would like to improve on, and learn to appreciate more. I would like to use this method in the future, even though it was not appropriate for this concept.