01
Ritual vessel
Spouted Ritual Wine Vessel (Gong)
Bronze · animal-form body · layered relief
Relief wraps a functional volume; no single frontal image describes the complete programme.
Open referenceNon-ranked reference index
The Ember & Alloy field guide
Ten objects, processes and condition references. Numbers support navigation only and do not express quality, importance or preference.
02
Ritual vessel
Lobed Tripod Cauldron (Liding)
Bronze · three lobes · columnar legs
The transition from rounded lobe to straight leg makes casting serve an architectural silhouette.
Open reference03
Court plaque
Benin Relief Plaque Af1898,0115.23
Leaded brass · high relief · patterned field
Figure scale, centrality and regalia create hierarchy, while nail holes preserve evidence of installation.
Open reference04
Modern sculpture
Unique Forms of Continuity in Space
Bronze · opened silhouette · polished planes
Projecting planes make one static cast suggest a body moving through surrounding space.
Open reference05
Process reference
Direct Lost-Wax Casting
Unique wax model · destroyed mould · singular route
The model’s destruction changes the evidence available after a successful or failed pour.
Open reference06
Process reference
Indirect Lost-Wax Casting
Durable model · piece mould · repeatable waxes
Repeatability shifts creative labour across modelling, wax correction, casting and finishing.
Open reference07
Condition reference
Stable Copper-Alloy Patina
Adherent layer · varied colour · coherent surface
Green can be stable; colour must be read with adhesion, texture, history and change over time.
Open reference08
Condition reference
Active Copper-Alloy Corrosion
Powder · flaking · localized change
Fresh light-green powder can be urgent, but remote colour matching is not diagnosis.
Open reference09
Finish reference
Polished Brass Surface
Bright reflection · abrasion risk · handled edges
Brightness may record intended finish, recent polishing or repeated loss of surface detail.
Open reference10
Workshop reference
Chased Cast Relief
Cast mass · cut line · corrected edge
Post-cast chasing can clarify ornament while making the boundary between modelling and finishing harder to see.
Open reference