Cast Iron Foundry Pattern Mould “Super Materiam Ignis Triumphans” - Established 1888 (J.K. Smit)

A characterful cast‑iron mould with a wonderfully graphic image of a smith at work, created for the industrial firm J.K. Smit, founded in 1888. The design is cut in reverse so that, when pressed into sand or another material, it produced a positive, correctly‑read impression. Around the rim runs the Latin motto *SUPER MATERIAM IGNIS TRIUMPHANS* – “Fire triumphant over matter” – with “Established 1888” and “For J.K. Smit” below. At the centre a bare‑torso smith swings his hammer, flanked by a grinding wheel and an anvil under a radiant halo. This would originally have served in the company’s works as a pattern or die for casting or striking small advertising plaques or medallions – the sort of detail once found on machinery, catalogues and exhibition giveaways. Today it makes a fine paperweight or display piece, encapsulating the confidence of early‑20th‑century heavy industry. Original cast‑iron foundry / medal mould & Latin motto *Super Materiam Ignis Triumphans* - “Fire triumphant over matter” & made for industrial firm J.K. Smit, established 1888 & Dynamic blacksmith imagery with anvil and grinding wheel 1900-1930, Continental European. Wonderful weight and patina – ideal industrial desk or shelf piece.