{"id":31,"date":"2016-06-27T21:15:05","date_gmt":"2016-06-27T21:15:05","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/miriamhanid.com\/?page_id=31"},"modified":"2016-12-17T23:04:05","modified_gmt":"2016-12-17T23:04:05","slug":"techniques","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/miriamhanid.com\/?page_id=31","title":{"rendered":"CHASING"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"chasing-1-36-copy\"<\/p>\n

\"Tutankhamun's<\/a>
Tutankhamun’s Mask. Photo by Tdittmar75\/CCO<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

What is Chasing and Repouss\u00e9?<\/h4>\n

Chasing and repouss\u00e9 <\/b>date back thousands of years and are two of the key techniques which I love to use as a silversmith. I find the effects that can be achieved aided by the somewhat basic tools of hammer and punch to be fascinating. <\/span><\/p>\n

One of my favourite pieces created in this way is the famous gold mask of Tutankhamun, whose reign was thought to have lasted from 1336 to 1327 BC (source: British Museum). It is a fantastic early example and also demonstrates the extraordinarily malleable qualities of metal.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Miriam<\/a>
Flat Chasing on ‘Radiance’ Centrepiece<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

‘<\/span>Repouss\u00e9’ or ‘repoussage’, meaning ‘to push back’, is a process of forming or hammering metal which is set in pitch, to create volume and relief on the reverse side. Pitch is a tar-like substance often made from bitumen or pine resin.<\/span><\/p>\n

Chasing can be used alongside repouss\u00e9 to add definition and detail to the shapes formed from the other side, often creating dynamic relief and striking contrast between the lower and raised areas. I sometimes draw pencil lines directly onto the silver as a guideline for the chased design and then make further adjustments as required. If the design is to be an exact copy of another drawing, I use white oil pastel to transfer it onto the metal using tracing paper and a pencil.<\/span><\/p>\n