Moving Metal: The Art of Chasing and Repousse

Author: Adolph Steines
Translators: Judith and Winfried Berger
Publisher: Blue Moon Press, Huntingdon, PA 2001
ISBN: 0-9707664-9-1
Hard cover with 131 pages; 107 black and white photographs and 111 drawings; no index, but the table contents is quite detailed.

The original book was written in Germany in 1995. It reads very smoothly, you would almost not guess that it is a translation. Metric dimensions have been converted to American measurement.

This book goes well beyond just the basics of chasing and repousse. It also covers engraving, etching, soldering, patination, tinning, and gilding. Given that there are only 131 pages, and many topics covered you might think that they are given a superficial treatment, but there is enough there to get you started and on your way with each of the techniques.

The author starts with a short history of repousse and then goes into the different metals that can be use, setting up a workshop and tooling. This is followed by sections that detail the various techniques for working the metal.

The examples shown are from the European tradition of metal work design and tends to be mostly modern. Many are fairly large projects, door panels, front pieces to fountains, etc.

The book is available from Blue Moon Press for $32.95

-- AlbinDrzewianowski - 29 Jan 2009