What is the historical origin of cast iron sculpture?

Ductile iron was invented in the early Warring States period. White core ductile iron and black core ductile iron were obtained by decarbonization heat treatment and graphitization heat treatment respectively. After the mid-Warring States period, cast iron gradually replaced bronze, wood, stone tools and mussels as the main production tools, and unearthed artifacts included plows, ploughshares, shovels, sickles, hoes, axes, hoes and chisels. The great demand for iron tools led to the invention of iron molds. In addition, a part of iron mold casting in the current process is also applied to a large number of iron molds. Cast iron sculpture, in terms of cost, is far lower than that of cast copper sculpture, and the use and maintenance cost of cast iron sculpture is also lower than that of bronze sculpture, and the application scope of iron parts in society is far higher than that of copper parts.

Generally speaking, the current iron carvings can be divided into several types:

The first kind uses iron wire and small iron tools to re-polish after deformation to make a three-dimensional sculpture. This part became direct wrought iron.

The second type is cast iron sculpture, that is, the model is carved with a mold, the iron is melted and cooled with molten iron, and the original appearance of the sculpture is formed after artificial polishing and coloring.

Third, make a sculpture model first, then wrap it in iron and knock on the board.

In the production process of cast iron sculpture, cutting, folding, bending, forging, melting, welding, casting and other processes are generally used.