Chemical analyses of the Chinese mirror-molds of the Han-Period and restoration experiments of the high-Sn bronze mirror

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A black crust is often observed on the surface of the mirror-mold. As a result of the chemical analyses, the elements such as Cu, Sn, Pb, and Zn originated in the casting metals were confirmed to exist in the black crust The black crust is, therefore, thought to be a reaction product of mirror-mold and the metal in the course of the casting process. In addition, S and C were found and it indicates that they might be originated in the coating- or release-agents for the mold. Then, the casting experiments were carried out by the mixture of Cu, Sn, and Pb using several kinds of oil and fat as the coating- or separating-agents. A black crust was well reproduced by using a fat as release-agent. As a result of chemical analyses of the reproduced black crust, the existence of metallic elements and S were confirmed to be in the crust on the surface of the mirror mold. The element of C was not analyzed but C was thought to be a kind of soot caused from burned fats in the course of casting.