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Sinking, raising and dapping: hollow forms

· 1 min read · Techniques

Illustration: Sinking, raising and dapping: hollow forms

A flat sheet can become a volume: domes, bowls, hollow beads and bangles. The main techniques are sinking, raising and dapping.

Steps of the technique: Cut the disc, Sink, Use the dapping block, Anneal, Smooth, Polish
Summary of the steps

Sinking #

The sheet is struck into a cavity of wood or metal (a sinking block) to hollow it out gradually.

Dapping #

With a dapping block and round-nosed punches, domes and half spheres are formed; two soldered halves make a hollow bead.

Raising #

The metal is hammered over a stake, in circles, annealing often, to raise the walls of a bowl or bangle.

Anticlastic raising #

A double opposing curvature, like that of a saddle. It is used in bangles with flowing lines.

Step by step #

  1. Cut the disc. Cut a circle of sheet and anneal it.
  2. Sink. Hammer the center over a wooden hollow.
  3. Use the dapping block. Refine the dome with punches of decreasing size.
  4. Anneal. Each time the metal hardens.
  5. Smooth. Planish the piece over a stake.
  6. Polish. Finish the dome with file and sandpaper.

Tools and materials #

Common mistakes #

  • Striking too hard: the sheet wrinkles.
  • Forgetting to anneal: cracks appear.
  • Using a hollow smaller than the piece.
  • Leaving hammer marks by not planishing.

See also #

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