Art in Miniature, Mirror image, and in Hardened Metal
Pictured above are 3 photos of the same coin. The photo on the left is mine, the one on the left is by CNG and the small one in the center is the CNG photo reduced to the actual size of the denarius. It is almost unbelievable that the celators could etch this image into hardened brass or iron at this scale. How did they maintain tools for work at this scale and in the material necessary to make a die? How did they keep the style and detail at such a scale?
Observe how they kept the style on the following details:
- The chest musculature on the breast plate of the cuirass.
- The fabric on the arms of the trophy obeys gravity.
- On the face, a cheekbone and an eye are present (Less than 1 mm).
- The cape billowing behind add depth and the illusion of movement.
- The thumbs on both hands are visible.
- The grieves or leg armour cover the front of legs only, as Mars' calf protrudes from the back.
- Bellybutton on breastplate.
I think it is the face that impresses me the most. This is superb art which must have been the result of advanced technology.
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