To add to the comments of David, Anders and Peter something from Dutch soil.
Clay moulds are practically the onely ones known before medieval times.
Sites like Gennep (Limburg), Wehl (Gelderland) and Wijnaldum (Friesland)
produce a number.
Like Anders noticed these are finely made objects and often not clearly
prefired. His suggestion that the mirror part of the casting had undergone a
special treatment I can support. One mould from Gennep clearly shows traces
of charcoaldust, one piece from Wehl has traces of firing (oxidising) both
are weathered from the outside and do not give the impression to be prefired
(no direct research has been done unfortunately).
Of one of the moulds from Gennep a matching lead fibula was excavated which
raised the question of a precast before the bronze fibulae were cast. This
would suggest plural use of one (not prefired, clay)mould.
Roeland, would there be an opportunity to see the items?
Matthijs van Nie
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