What is repousse silver?
What is repousse silver?
Repousse’ Silver is Sterling Silver (or other metal) that has a raised or relief design hammered in from the backside of the piece. Sometimes the back displays the hammered design; other times the hammered design has been filled in and solid.
When was repousse silver popular?
The widespread use and practice of repoussé reached its peak in Europe during the 16th, 17th and 18th centuries. Today, the repoussé technique is not nearly practiced as much as it was in earlier centuries but it is still a technique that is being taught.
What is repousse pattern?
REPOUSSE by KIRK. Patented 1828. Repousse by S. Kirk and Son (now, Kirk-Stieff), Baltimore, Maryland, was introduced into America by Samuel Kirk in 1828. This iconic American flatware pattern is handsomely embossed with life-like flowers and foliage that differ from piece to piece.
What is sterling silver flatware worth?
And yet, those rarely used utensils can be quite valuable, depending on the purity and weight of silver that they contain. A typical 32-piece sterling silver flatware set can easily bring you $800 to $1,200 to a silver buyer.
What is the difference between repousse and chasing?
Chasing is the art of creating design on metal, from the front side. Repousse´ is the act of pushing the metal up, from the back side. Work can be Chased alone or Repousse´d alone or the two techniques can be used together.
How old is repousse?
The name repoussé is derived from the French pousser, “to push forward.” This ancient technique, which has been used extensively throughout the history of metalworking, achieved widespread popularity in Europe during the 16th, 17th, and 18th centuries.
What is a floral repousse?
Repoussé from the French, meaning “pushed back,” refers to any type of ornamentation in which the design is raised in relief on the reverse or interior side of the metal material at hand.
What is repousse work?
repoussé, method of decorating metals in which parts of the design are raised in relief from the back or the inside of the article by means of hammers and punches; definition and detail can then be added from the front by chasing or engraving.
What is repousse silverware?
The iconic Repousse silverware pattern by Kirk Stieff made its debut in 1828, making it the oldest sterling silver pattern produced in the United States. To create this pattern, Samuel Kirk, a Philadelphia-trained silversmith, revived an ancient technique known as “repousse” to create an embossed design that’s as versatile as it is unforgettable.
What is Baltimore repousse silver?
Baltimore Repousse In fact, repousse is such a large and distinctive aspect of antique sterling silver in American history that it is commonly referred to as Baltimore Repousse. Baltimore, MD became known as a hotbed of aspiring and highly skilled silversmiths that manufacturing firms settled down there.
Is Stieff repousse silver worth anything?
Stieff Repousse sterling silver is also highly sought after by collectors. If you have a piece of silver, or a set, hollowware or flatware, it is important to know what you have. Just because it may have an intricate design doesn’t mean it is worth top dollar.
Where did repousse sterling silver come from?
As more and more of the repousse sterling silver patterns emerged from these talented firms, some of the most well-known makers today got their start in Baltimore during the mid-19th century emergence of this praised metal working technique. Baltimore repousse was an expensive luxury reserved for the rapidly emerging wealthy class.
