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Damascening

· 1 min read · Techniques

Illustration: Damascening

Damascening consists of hammering very fine gold or silver wires into grooves cut in a steel base. The contrast between the dark steel and the bright metal gives an effect of great richness.

Steps of the technique: Prepare the steel, Lay the wire, Hammer, Heat, Burnish, Patinate
Summary of the steps

How it is done #

  1. Grooves or a cross-hatching are cut in the steel with a graver.
  2. Gold or silver wires are hammered into the grooves.
  3. The surface is polished smooth; the steel is darkened (blued) to heighten the contrast.

Traditions #

Toledo (Spain) is the capital of damascening, with a tradition dating back to Islamic times. It is also known in Syria (Damascus) and the Middle East.

Uses #

Jewelry (pendants, brooches, cufflinks), knives, swords and decorative objects.

Care #

Steel rusts if it gets wet: dry it and clean it with a cloth.

Step by step #

  1. Prepare the steel. File and score the surface with cross lines.
  2. Lay the wire. Press gold or silver wire onto the grooves.
  3. Hammer. Tap gently to fix it.
  4. Heat. Warm lightly so it adheres.
  5. Burnish. Smooth with the burnisher.
  6. Patinate. Oxidize the steel for contrast.

Tools and materials #

  • Steel or iron
  • Fine gold or silver wire
  • Burnisher (burnishing)
  • Small hammer and chisel

Common mistakes #

  • Shallow grooves: the wire comes loose.
  • Striking hard: it marks the steel.
  • Overheating the steel: it loses hardness.
  • Not protecting the steel from rust.

See also #

This entry was drafted with the help of AI and is pending review by the author.