The publication was created as a commentary to the permanent exhibition at the Artistic Casting Department of the Museum in Gliwice (Poland). The book as well as the exhibition are a presentation of unique objects on a European scale and an attempt to show the phenomenon of artistic molding in the history of handicrafts. One of the leading collections of the Museum in Gliwice is a collection of artistic casts of the former Prussian Royal Iron Foundry (Königliche Eisengiesserei bei Gleiwitz). Established at the end of the 18th century, the foundry gave rise to the dynamic development of the industry not only in Gliwice itself, but also throughout Silesia. In the 19th century, the steelworks in Gliwice, next to the steelworks in Sayn and the steelworks in Berlin, belonged to the most famous in Europe. Artistic iron castings and fewer ones made in bronze were one of the production areas of the Gliwice plant, focused primarily on the production of reinforcement, then on the production of steam engine parts, bridge spans or enamelled kitchen products. These casts, designed by famous sculptors and excellent modelers, were recognized and exported to many European countries.00Exhibition: Permanent exhibition Muzeum in Gliwice, Poland

The publication was created as a commentary to the permanent exhibition at the Artistic Casting Department of the Museum in Gliwice (Poland). The book as well as the exhibition are a presentation of unique objects on a European scale and an attempt to show the phenomenon of artistic molding in the history of handicrafts.0One of the leading collections of the Museum in Gliwice is a collection of artistic casts of the former Prussian Royal Iron Foundry (Königliche Eisengiesserei bei Gleiwitz). Established at the end of the 18th century, the foundry gave rise to the dynamic development of the industry not only in Gliwice itself, but also throughout Silesia. In the 19th century, the steelworks in Gliwice, next to the steelworks in Sayn and the steelworks in Berlin, belonged to the most famous in Europe. Artistic iron castings and fewer ones made in bronze were one of the production areas of the Gliwice plant, focused primarily on the production of reinforcement, then on the production of steam engine parts, bridge spans or enamelled kitchen products. These casts, designed by famous sculptors and excellent modelers, were recognized and exported to many European countries.00Exhibition: Permanent exhibition Muzeum in Gliwice, Poland.