Unique casting mold from horn

The collection of Polotsk Museum-Reserve stores a shutter from the unique casting mold made of horn, which was used to cast jewelry, probably beads. The mold was found during the archaeological excavations under the guidance of archaeologist S.V. Tarasov in 1987-1988. The uniqueness of the mold lies in the material it is made of a horn. Casting molds are very rare artifacts that unconditionally prove the existence of jewelry craft in a certain area. Casting molds were usually made of stone or clay, less often molds made of bronze and wood are found. Tools from a horn for casting jewelry are single finds and are found only in selected places. The physical properties of the horns and bones do not allow the mold to be used to pour molten metal into it. According to S.V. Tarasov, who found this product during the study of the remnants of the jewelry workshop of the 12-13th centuries, the horn mold could be used to fill wax. This procedure was needed for the manufacture of jewelry on the wax model. The technology of the process was as follows: after the wax poured into the mold froze, it was poured with clay, and then the product was burned. Under the influence of temperature, the wax melted and flowed out, and the clay retained its shape, into which the metal was then poured.