Chasing & Repoussг©: Methods Ancient And Modern -

The process is an exercise in patience and precision. (from the French pousser , "to push") is the foundational step. The artist works from the reverse side of the metal, using rounded punches to push the material out and create volume.

The tools themselves are deceptively simple: a heavy, flat-faced chasing hammer and a vast kit of hand-forged steel punches. Each punch has a specific face—beveled, rounded, or textured—that leaves a unique footprint on the metal. Ancient Roots to Modern Hands Chasing & RepoussГ©: Methods Ancient and Modern

is the complementary finish. Working from the front, the artist uses sharper, more defined tools to refine details, crisp up edges, and flatten the background. Together, they allow a craftsman to "sculpt" metal without removing any material, unlike engraving or carving. The Bedrock: Pitch and Tools The process is an exercise in patience and precision