Delve into the mesmerizing world of Metal Mirrors and uncover the secrets of a timeless craft, where ancient techniques meet modern innovation. "Metal Mirrors" is your ultimate guide to mastering the art and science of creating captivating, reflective masterpieces from metal. Begin your exploration with a journey through history, discovering the cultural significance and evolution of metal mirrors. Navigate through the basics with a comprehensive introduction to metal casting, where you’ll learn about the properties of different metals and the anatomy of casting molds. Equip yourself with the essential tools and techniques needed to transform raw metal into stunning mirrors. Take your skills to the next level with advanced casting techniques like investment casting for intricates, sand casting basics, and the classic art of lost wax casting. Precision becomes your ally as you uncover the science behind flawless surface finishes and learn to avoid common casting errors. Design your perfect mold with expert insights into mold design principles and crafting for intricate patterns. Explore surface techniques to achieve a gleaming, polished finish and delve into electroplating for durability and added beauty. Unearth your inner artist by incorporating aesthetic vision and drawing inspiration from influential art movements. Embrace safety and sustainability with eco-friendly practices, and explore case studies of master metalworkers who blend historic techniques with contemporary innovation. Transform your workspace into a metalworking haven with guidance on setting up a workshop tailored to both beginners and seasoned professionals. Whether you're a novice or a skilled metalworker, take on engaging projects that range from simple to complex, all while troubleshooting common issues and learning from the pros. Peer into the future, where traditional methods intersect with cutting-edge technologies like 3D printing. "Metal Mirrors" is more than just a book; it’s a reflection of human creativity and precision. Embark on this journey and become part of the enduring legacy of metal crafting excellence.

Mirrors are amongst the most well known British Iron Age objects. They are of a type which is peculiar to Britain and are significantly different in form from contemporary Greek, Etruscan and Roman forms. 58 mirrors are known. They are made of bronze and iron, or sometimes a combination of bronze and iron components. Mirrors comprise a handle and a reflective plate, which is often decorated with intricate and free-flowing designs. Some plates are also rimmed. Mirrors are found throughout Britain; two have been discovered in Ireland and two others are known from the continent. They are most commonly found in graves; but were also deposited in bogs and rarely at settlements. They date to the mid-late Iron Age. This book tests the applicability of the biographical approach to prehistoric objects and the application of the biographical approach to prehistoric material culture is evaluated by constructing biographies for Iron Age mirrors. This study is divided into three main sections. In the first section mirrors are introduced as is the theoretical methodology (Chapter 2). Chapter 1 explains what mirrors look like, the contexts they are found in and how they have been studied in the past to pinpoint what we do not yet understand about them and what needs further clarification. In Chapter 2 the biographical approach to artefacts is outlined; how it has been used in archaeology and how the approach will be utilised to expand our knowledge of mirrors and the broader Iron Age context by reconstructing the relationships that constitute mirrors and their biographies. Chapter 3 examines evidence for the production of Iron Age metal artefacts as well as investigating the context of the production of metalwork in ethnographic contexts. The aim is to develop an understanding of the technology of mirror production, the relationships established through their production and the potential future trajectories of the life of a mirror set out at the time of manufacture. In Chapter 4 mirror decoration is examined. Chapter 5 summarises the results of a programme of visual examination of the physical condition of surviving mirrors. Over 30 mirrors were examined for signs of wear, polishing and repair; clues which can indicate how mirrors were used and inform us about their social lives. Chapter 6 examines the form of mirrors. In the third section deposition context is examined. Chapter 8 is the first comprehensive dating audit of all Iron Age mirrors. In Chapter 9 all of the deposition data is collected. Chapter 10 is an analysis of the results of Chapter 9. In Chapter 11 the implications of these findings for wider research and the future of the application of the biographical approach to archaeological research, is assessed.

This text examines the various ways in which prisms and small mirrors typically are designed and mounted in optical instruments. It provides analytical tools for evaluating different designs, and discusses the advantages and disadvantages of various techniques. The book, in part, is an outgrowth of SPIE short courses taught by the author and is a companion to his 1995 volume Mounting Lenses in Optical Instruments. The work should be useful for engineers and other practitioners in the fields of optical engineering and optomechanical design.