Question: How did they do this?

deedubbya · Feb 12, 2009

I was given a mirror and make up covers to clean up, the engraving is really quite unique most of it is raised even though there is no visible telegraphing on the reverse side. The letters in the mirror are raised with a slight stipple texture between the characters and the raised scroll pattern surrounding them. On the lids the engraving looks like traditional hand engraving but once more the scroll is raised and the back side is virtually smooth. I'm baffled as to how and would like to know or at least get opinions.

Roger Bleile · Feb 12, 2009

The initials in he middle are acid etched.

monk · Feb 12, 2009

roger is correct. if you put these images on screen and enlarge a bit, looking at the edges, you see typical erosion caused by the acid process. also the design bears the "look" of acid etching done years ago on metal grooming products commonly used in the home. this technique was also very common on windows. hydroflouric acid was flowed over hand made as well as mass produced stencils. many of these windows were quite fancy to the eye.
years ago i recreated such a window using sandblasting and a dentist drill. the client gave me the orriginal window, all 298 pieces in a cardboard box ! the fotos are shots of 2 very bad polaroids of that window in progress.

rod · Feb 13, 2009

Monk,

Could it possibly be a producion item stamped from an engraved steel die, and the individual initial part etched for the buyer?

The design quality is good, and usually a master plate will be well conceived and well executed. Engraved steel masters stamoed into silver will give an embossed design??

Rod

John B. · Feb 13, 2009

Dave,
Thank you for showing this.
However it was done it's a very pretty piece.

Best, John B.

monk · Feb 13, 2009

many were stamped from very high quality dies and given a bit of "glitter" post production by engravers who would add a bit of bright work here and there on the stuff. some pieces never became embellished by hand at all. such work demanded somewhat higher prices i suppose.

Question: How did they do this?

deedubbya

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