What Is Chasing & Repoussé?
Chasing and repoussé are some of the oldest techniques of silversmithing and goldsmithing. They involve the use of a hammer and several chasing punches which are used to create outlines and to hammer a sheet of metal to give volume. Apparently, the famousTutankhamunmask was made using these techniques!
The names originate from theFrench words, “chasser” “to chase” consisting ofcreating a design on the front of the metaland “repoussé” “push up” which is the act of pushing the metal up frombehind -the two techniques are often used in conjunction.
The beautiful thing about these techniques is that although it takes time, you can hammer, anneal, re-hammer and re-anneal to reach the image you havein your mind.
I love these techniques because the finished objects are so tactile and unique with every hammer strike.
Health & Safety
Always work where you have ventilation, especially when you are burning a pitch.
Wear an apron andsafety goggles to protect yourself from the hot pitch in case the segments of the pitch break.
