Engraving

Engraving is the technique of cutting designs, decoration, lettering or symbols directly into a hard surface, most commonly metal.

The design was first drawn, transferred or lightly scribed onto the surface. The engraver then used hand tools known as gravers or burins to cut the lines into the metal, removing a small amount of material with each stroke. Different tool profiles produced lines of varying width and character, allowing anything from fine lettering to elaborate floral, foliate and scrollwork decoration to be created. 

During the work, smaller objects could be supported on leather pads or similar surfaces, allowing the engraver to turn and manoeuvre the piece while maintaining control of the cutting tool.

A particularly distinctive form was bright-cut engraving, in which sharp, angled gravers created polished, reflective facets in the metal. Popular from the late eighteenth century, this technique was especially effective on silver and silver-gilt surfaces and was frequently used to decorate the fittings of dressing cases. 

Engraving was also widely used on the brass fittings of boxes, including hinges, lock plates, handles, inlay and maker’s plates. Floral and scrollwork designs could transform otherwise functional metalwork into an important part of the overall decoration of the box.