[TheForge] Historical metal working techniques

[Phlip]

Hey, guys, as you can see from the following, my Cook's List is getting
into smithing techniques relating to historical cookery, in different
cultures. Are any of you aware of any good references which could help
me get a good view of what was done where, and when? Part of the
discussion was revolving around cast iron cook pots, and when the
technique was invented and first used for cookware.

Also, Dick Wild, btw, is the gentleman whose interest in the history of
the Dutch Oven prompted my inquiry about the Mastermyr find yesterday
(thanks all, your responses were very helpful ;-)

See, I really am serious, occasionally ;-)

Thanks,

Phlip

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--- Mercy Neumark <mneumark@hotmail.com> wrote:

> Not to yet again wave the banner of asia and how
> advanced they were in
> period (who me?), in China, GIANT cookpots were
> caste in bronze and used for
> cooking.  And small ones too.  My metal teacher (THL
> Robindra of Isles) told
> me he heard of a recent pour that was several tons
> in bronze, done by those
> cool chinese metalworkers!
>
> I have a book on Chinese porcelain and Chinese
> bronzes and it shows shards
> from huge molds (the molds were made of a kaolin
> clay, which is a hifire,
> pure claybody) that were done in pre-period (I don't
> have the book in front
> of me, but I'm thinking it was like B.C. sometime).
>
> Not sure if this technology passed into europe, but
> as far as I can tell
> from the woodblocks I've seen from period, it looks
> to me like some sort of
> pot was made in metal.  Clay is WAY to heavy to prop
> up on those spit-like
> tripods.  I'm probably wrong though.
>
> Just my two yen here. :)

FYI, Dick Wild posted me the following:

> A little trivia:  The three legged Chinese bronze
> Deng which I observed in San Francisco several years
> ago at the Peoples Republic of Chinas
> Archeological Exhibitions weighed 250 kilos!!  Most
> of the surviving Dengs were funerary objects in
which > mourners partook of a last meal in honor of
the
> departed and then were buried with the deceased.
> Smaller Deng or those found by grave robbers were
> frequently recast into farm implements or other
items > for daily use.

I'd be very interested in references and information
relating to metalworking techniques and skill in
period. no matter which culture used what, when. Is
anyone aware of a reasonably accurate reference, with,
hopefully, period examples of various related metal
working skills?

Phlip