Apollonia's Projects

Embossed Metal - Embossing

I have recently created an embossed copper ornament as a Yule gift.

Technique as Described by Theophilus

Theophilus suggests that, "embossing is beautiful and delicate and is easily done" to which I agree. He describes a process of impressing a design onto thin sheets of silver through the use of a die (Hawthrone & Smith 153)

"Place the die on an anvil so that the carving is uppermost, and lay the silver on it. Then put some thick lead on top and strike it hard with a hammer so that the lead forces the think silver into the carving so strongly all the detail appears full on it." (Hawthrone & Smith 153)

He also tells us that, "Work of this kind is also done in copper." (Hawthrone & Smith 153)

Theophilus. Translated by John G. Hawthorne and Cyril Stanley Smith. On Divers Arts. Dover Publications: New York 1979.

Sample Extant Embossed Pieces

The process

Note: I did not use a documented, period technique to create this project.

I am following a, terribly pun laden, modern article on copper embossing as my instruction set. Mission Embossible. The short section on creating a simple patina through a painted coating of ammonia followed by another of vinegar is of particular interest to me.

My design was transferred to the copper by tracing a photocopied pattern on top of a piece of carbon paper that was placed directly onto the metal. Be aware that the design rubs off while working. I good bit of freehand touch up has been needed along with way.

For my ornament, I am embossing the design without the use of a die using chasing and repoussè techniques on a 32 g piece of copper sheet. Copper this thin is easily worked without the aid of a hammer. I have been using a modern two ended stylus and a selection of my smallest repoussè punches to press into the copper.