TECHNIQUES OF METAL DECORATION (PART-2)

In the previous post of The Jewel Affair some very interesting techniques like Filigree, Repousse´ & Chasing and Enamelling were discussed in detail. In the proceeding post, subjects like acid etching, stamping, embossing and engraving will be dealt with.

Acid Etching: etching has been derived from a German word for ‘eat’. This technique literally lets the acid bite into the metal surface to create relief patterns. In other words it can be described as a technique which uses the concept of corrosion for metal decoration. The basic idea is to create a design on the metal and cover the areas which one wants in high relief with acid proof substance. Thereafter the metal plate is submerged in acid and then the exposed areas start corroding and creating relief patterns.

The earliest findings of this techniques dates back to 1500 A.D. The technique was most widely used for creating armours and art work but today the technique is more widespread. Nowadays it is also being used as a preliminary step in the process of enamelling.

The latest version of acid etching process is Photo Etching. In this process the metal sheet is firstly covered with photosensitive polymers to avoid any deforming of the metal because of its exposure to the ultra violet light. Then with the help of computer aided software patterns are created and transferred on the metal with the help of UV lights. Then the metal sheet is thoroughly cleaned and then it is laminated. The laminated piece is put into the photo tools and again exposed to UV lights. The selected areas of the laminate are converted into acid proof areas. The sheet is then sprayed with acid and corrosion takes place. Thereafter, the sheet is cleaned again and the result is smooth relief patterns.

The advantage of this method is its low cost of production; it is not a labour- intensive technique, requires less cleaning and finishing and the precision achieved is remarkable.

ACID ETCHING

Stamping: it is a procedure in which the metal is pressed between steel dies in a hydraulic press at very high pressure. This method is ideal for large scale production and is widely used for manufacturing coins, pendants, earrings and shanks. On a smaller scale it can be taken up individually with the help of stamps, hammer and other tools. Here the process is relatively simple when taken up individually than the other techniques. The only drawback is that the design options here are limited.

STAMPED JEWELRY

STAMPS

TOOLS FOR STAMPING

Embossing: under this technique the metal is usually punched from behind to create relief work on the other side. Varieties of tools are used to achieve the desired result. First and foremost the design is traced out on the metal foils or sheets with the help of a stylus, which is an embossing tool. The design is then worked around with a couple of more tools to create the relief. The height of the relief is a matter of personal choice. Finally some pointed tools are used to refine the design from front and the design is finished with buffing tools.

EMBOSSED JEWELRY

Engraving: it is an art of carving out designs on metal surfaces. A chisel is usually used to incise the design, which is also termed as a burin. Chisels come in various varieties and are used by metal workers on all sorts of metals like copper, steel, gold and silver. Engraving is used for various purposes like jewelry, armours, weapons and kitchenware. With technological advancement machines are created for engraving bigger sheets of metal and sometimes dyes are also used for engraving designs.

ENGRAVING

One can say that these techniques of metal decoration have revolutionised the way it was used by the pre-historic man. Owing to these techniques beautiful artwork started developing. When one looks back, these techniques also give us important clues about our ancestors and the way development came about in those times. So, these techniques have not only beautified the world around us but also show us how we have evolved through these centuries.

*Pictures adopted from Google.