Breaking the mould A history of sand mould casting in Western Europe based on early written sources

The process of sand mould casting, less correctly described in some publications as sand casting, is described, based on various Western European documentary sources from c.1400 to 1800, from a wide geographical area including Italy, the German-speaking lands, the Low Countries, France and Britain. Although this account is far from comprehensive, the purpose is to chart the main developments and to indicate the first known use of certain tools and techniques, eventually culminating in the use of sand moulds for the casting of complex sculptures. The processes developed in this period by goldsmiths and founders for detailed casting, by founders of ore utilitarian objects, and by fine art sculptors using piece-moulds, are described.