SHOW: Hairclip 09
Title: Headdress.
General: This Sterling Silver Headdress is hand forged, with a serpent
head coming from the forehead.
Material: Sterling Silver.
Gem:
Method: Constructed, Forged, Répoussé.
Finish: Polished.
Mechanics: The Serpent Head is Répoussé.
Designer: Walraven van Heeckeren.
Craftsman: Walraven van Heeckeren.
Price: AUS $ 9000.00.
STERLING SILVER is a binary Silver alloy consisting of:
925 parts/1000 Pure Silver and
75 parts/1000 Pure Copper.
Annealing temperature: 750 degrees Celsius.
Melting Temperature: 950 degrees Celsius.
Wal.
FORGING is a method of deforming metal with a hammer on an anvil.
In the case of Sterling Silver and the Karat Golds, this
must be done COLD! If a hot forging is attempted the
precious metals will just crumble. In their PURE form
Silver and Gold will allow HOT forging, but there is no
benefit to be gained.
Wal.
Répoussé is a method of sheet metal forming
where the metal is placed on a bowl of softish
pitch. The metal is then hit down into the pitch
with smooth punches. If the desired result needs
greater depth or more refining, the work may be
turned over and worked from the other side. The
pitch supports the metal where it is not being hit,
and in this way three dimensional shapes of great
depth can be achieved.
Some confusion exists in the English speaking
world, because the word "CHASING" is used for two
different techniques. In German the word for
chasing, is zisellieren, or chiselling. The object
to be decorated is placed on a quite hard "chasers
pitch", and is then worked with small cutting
punches. the look is somewhat like engraving.
Wal.