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How are hammering and casting different in decorative metalwork?

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Plaque showing a warrior and attendants — metalwork Warrior and attendants plaque, brass relief sculpture by Edo artists in the court of the kingdom of Benin (now Nigeria), 16th–17th century; in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York City.

In decorative metalwork, hammering and casting represent two distinct approaches to shaping metal, often used in tandem to achieve specific artistic results.

Hammering
Hammering is a manual, percussive technique where metal is shaped through physical force. In its earliest form, it was the primary method for creating decorative objects, involving the shaping of separate pieces that were then joined by rivets or pins. A common technique for hollowware is "raising," where a sheet metal disk is gradually shaped over a stake or anvil using spiraling hammer blows. Hammering remains essential for working with precious metals and for refining the edges of cast tools to create a keen finish.123

Casting
Casting involves pouring molten metal into a mold, where it solidifies into the desired form. This method is particularly valuable for producing complex shapes and is often used for metals that are unsuitable for hammer work. Techniques such as lost-wax casting allow for the creation of intricate statues and jewelry. Unlike hammering, which relies on the physical manipulation of solid metal, casting allows for the economical production of both mass-produced parts and unique, one-of-a-kind artistic pieces.4321