Production

Abstract

The “Thessalian antiquities” are similar to some of the pieces in the Biskupija hoard in that on the back many have visible traces of a tightly woven textile fabric. This points to a specific casting technique, namely the “lost wax and lost textile” method. Originating in north-western China and Inner Mongolia during the late fourth and the third century BC, the technique reached Eastern Europe through the intermediary of the nomads. The earliest examples were until now believed to be the Biskupija casts, but some of the Velestino pieces may be slightly earlier. Moreover, unlike the dies in the Biskupija hoard, the Velestino pieces are made of lead, not copper alloy. The technology employed for the production of (some of) the Velestino plaques was an innovation shortly before and after AD 700, in Eastern and East Central Europe, as well as, probably, Byzantium.