Technology Artistic of Casting the Reproductions Metals in Ancient Iraq from the Old Period to the End of the Sumerian Era

الملخص

This study refers to an important artistic method that was used to make metal artworks in ancient Iraq, which is the technique of casting molds and artistic reproductions. The research begins with the definition of this technique and methods of using it and its types, where the open mold and closed mold, and methods of casting and reproduction of metal arts through those molds, then the research touches on the rooting of the technique from the earliest times in ancient Iraq, and the most important artistic products that indicate this, then how this technique gradually developed, and the extent of its development until the end of the Sumerian ERA, through an analytical study of the most important metal arts from that period. The approach followed by the research is the approach of historical research through the study of variables, where the historical approach depends on following the history of the phenomenon or problem and how it developed longitudinally during the previous periods and then the features of development are derived. As for the research sample, it will be dealt with through the collection of antiquities and cultural remnants of the kingdoms that were established on the land of Iraq from the earliest times until the end of the first Kingdom of Sumer, and the study includes all the geographical boundaries of these kingdoms. One of the most important results: that the techniques of casting molds were used to produce works of art from moldable materials such as metal, glass, clay or faience, open molds were used to produce one-dimensional pieces, and closed molds were used to form three-dimensional pieces such as holographic statues, and although the land of Iraq is free of copper mines, it is one of the oldest civilizations to form metals, as it imported large quantities from neighboring civilizations, Iraqis also knew the composition of bronze metal and formed it by casting in molds, and that was about 3000 B.C, There was a great boom in the increase of metal products in the Sumerian era more than before and there was a development and higher artistic quality than the era before it the most important feature of the Sumerian era is the accuracy in casting and expertise in avoiding bubbles during casting, accuracy in finishing the art piece and good removal of excess, and the lost wax method was used to a limited extent to form small figurines. The most important recommendations are conducting a comparative study on casting techniques and clones with the civilizations of the ancient Near East and studying materials that can be moulded by casting in moulds such as (glass, clay, and faience).