Metallographic investigation and experimental replication of an Etruscan bronze mirror
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Abstract
The use of copper alloys is known from ancient times and they were appreciated for several reasons: they are easy to cast, have a wide range of mechanical properties and appearance, and good resistance to corrosion. Most of these properties are affected by composition, and the desired properties could be obtained by the right balance of alloying elements and thermo-mechanical treatment. In particular, to obtain complicated shapes by hammering it was necessary to have a full understanding, perhaps empirical, of how to handle annealing to promote recrystallisation, which depends on both the tin content and the previous deformation of the metal. This study determines the composition and manufacturing process of an Etruscan bronze mirror in order to produce a facsimile.
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