fine art metalwork from old europe

[wunderlich]

Hello,

 

just a fine piece of metalwork made in the 18th century.

It is the backside of a Tabatiere owned by prussian king Friedrich der Große. The maker is anonymous.

Its quatre couleur en relief- style is similar to japanese kirihame zogan style. The goldsmith used four kinds of coloured golds and chased it. The background is chrysopras stone. The roccoco age transformed oriental influences into something very european.

 

 

(taken from "Prunktabatieren Friedrichs des Grossen")

[Guest ford hallam]

Hi Karl,

 

that's a remarkable piece of work, thanks. It's so easy to lose sight of what artisans in countries other than Japan were doing, this is a good reminder. You mentioned that it was put together a bit like Kiri-hame, do you mean the different elements which are depicted in different colour golds are first soldered together, a bit like a puzzle, before the chasing work is carried out?

 

cheers, Ford

 

 

 

Friedrich der Große.

we'd know him as Fred the Great

[wunderlich]

do you mean the different elements which are depicted in different colour golds are first soldered together, a bit like a puzzle, before the chasing work is carried out?

 

cheers, Ford

we'd know him as Fred the Great

 

Hi Ford,

 

yes, as far as I know it is soldered like a puzzle, perhaps on a thin backing plate.(True inlay was rare at this time in jewelry - it was more used for weapons; -which Fred also had )

The use of gold made it easier to hide the solder seam. (To hide it on irogane gokin is a bit trickier. Thanks to Jim for his great moth tutorial)

On the other hand, when it comes to engraving and chasing it is difficult to see the edges of the puzzle pieces. Fine matting of the glossy surface could help.

 

The resulting relief is glued on the stone with a kind of shellack mixture (similar to japanese or european stonesetters pitch)

 

Regards

Karl

[wunderlich]

Hi all,

 

this is a 18th century sample of true inlay on steel. It is made by russian armourers based at Tula. This particular town has a long tradition in metalwork. This detail belongs to a casket. The measures of the casket are 17x26x17,5cm. The tondo shows some arms and armourers tools.