DOI Heft:
No. 108 (March, 1902)
DOI Artikel:Fisher, Alexander: The art of true enamelling upon metals, [3]
DOI Seite / Zitierlink: https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.19875#0131
The Art of True Enamelling
of tools, which are made of pieces of square steel curved or straight—and holding it at right angles
about 5 ins. long, and ranging from \ in. to \ in. to the metal, go gently yet firmly along the outline,
thick. The ends are shaped from a flat square to striking the top of the tool with the hammer in a
a round ball, from a thick tracer, which is like a regular series of taps, moving the tool at the same
chisel in shape with a blunt edge, to one which time. For the raised parts softly rounded tools
gives a hair-like line. It is best to make one's own should be employed.
tools. The rule is to make a tool that will shape To remove the embossed plate from the pitch
the relief according to the design. For instance, the metal must be warmed before the fire or by
a tool with a curved edge is used for a curved line, a blowpipe. To clean it use paraffin. Now place
a round ball-ended tool to raise its own shape, a the embossed plate with its face upwards and work
straight tool for a straight line, and so on. Pitch with the tools on its face, sharpening parts or
blocks are requisite. I have already described softening others, until it is finished, then clean it
how the pitch is mixed and spread when warm as described. The manner of enamelling such
over the block of wood or stone or metal; and work is of the simplest; it consists of overlaying the
the reader will guess at once that the metal parts with a thin enamel both back and front, and
object must be pressed into the soft pitch until it firing. This is the way in which many of the most
sticks there. Then transfer your drawing in costly gold and silver ornaments, jewels and snuff-
outline upon the wrong side of the metal, and then boxes were made.
take a tracing tool—that is an edged tool, either Alexander Fisher.
"IN PRAISE OF WOMANHOOD" : A TRIPTYCH BY ALEXANDER FISHER
IN TRANSPARENT ENAMELS ON COPPER
(By permission of Mrs. Wisconsin)
118
of tools, which are made of pieces of square steel curved or straight—and holding it at right angles
about 5 ins. long, and ranging from \ in. to \ in. to the metal, go gently yet firmly along the outline,
thick. The ends are shaped from a flat square to striking the top of the tool with the hammer in a
a round ball, from a thick tracer, which is like a regular series of taps, moving the tool at the same
chisel in shape with a blunt edge, to one which time. For the raised parts softly rounded tools
gives a hair-like line. It is best to make one's own should be employed.
tools. The rule is to make a tool that will shape To remove the embossed plate from the pitch
the relief according to the design. For instance, the metal must be warmed before the fire or by
a tool with a curved edge is used for a curved line, a blowpipe. To clean it use paraffin. Now place
a round ball-ended tool to raise its own shape, a the embossed plate with its face upwards and work
straight tool for a straight line, and so on. Pitch with the tools on its face, sharpening parts or
blocks are requisite. I have already described softening others, until it is finished, then clean it
how the pitch is mixed and spread when warm as described. The manner of enamelling such
over the block of wood or stone or metal; and work is of the simplest; it consists of overlaying the
the reader will guess at once that the metal parts with a thin enamel both back and front, and
object must be pressed into the soft pitch until it firing. This is the way in which many of the most
sticks there. Then transfer your drawing in costly gold and silver ornaments, jewels and snuff-
outline upon the wrong side of the metal, and then boxes were made.
take a tracing tool—that is an edged tool, either Alexander Fisher.
"IN PRAISE OF WOMANHOOD" : A TRIPTYCH BY ALEXANDER FISHER
IN TRANSPARENT ENAMELS ON COPPER
(By permission of Mrs. Wisconsin)
118