Project 1. Metal Engraving/ Copper Tooling (Sem 2, 2015/2016)

PROJECT 1

METAL ENGRAVING ARTWORK IN

NURUL AQILA

DEPARTMENT OF APPLIED ART & DESIGN

KULLIYYAH OF ARCHITECTURE &

ENVIRONMENTAL DESIGN

AAD 2200: CONSERVATION

SEMESTER 2, 2015/2016

AHAMAD KAMAL

LECTURER : ASST. PROF. DR. SHAMZANI

AFFENDY MOHD DIN

1.0 INTRODUCTION

CONTENTS

1.1 METAL ENGRAVING

2.0 CASE STUDY: IRAN 2.1 HISTORY 2.2 CULTURE OF IRAN

3.0 MOTIF CHARACTERIZATION 3.1 SIMPLE MOTIF 3.2 MODERATE MOTIF 3.3 COMPLEX MOTIF

4.0 MATERIALS 5.0 METHODS 6.0 TECHNIQUES 7.0 APPLICATION 8.0 CONSERVATION 9.0 CONCLUSION 10.0 REFERENCES

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4 3

5

19-22

2.2 METALWORK

6-9

14-17 10-13

18

30

27-28 23-26

29

31-32

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The use of metal objects in Islamic society

cooking was carried out in metal basins and pans; the houses

would have metal fittings on doors and windows; the hands

of guests were washed in metal ewers; the literate would

have metal pen cases and inkwells.

had important and widespread use:

The impressions that gained from the collections

of Islamic metalwork are that most items are

made of brass or bronze, decorated with copper, silver, and gold, and that gold and

silver vessels as such are very few.

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2

1

Figure 1. Ewer with a Feline-Shaped Handle, Iran, 500–1000 A.D

Source: Metmuseum, 2009

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The Iran also known as

Persia or Republic of Iran

is a country in Western

Asia. It is bordered to the northwest by

Armenia, the de facto Nagorno-

Karabakh, and Azerbaijan.

1 2

2

Comprising a land area of

1,648,195 km2 (636,372 sq mi), it is

the second-largest country in the

Middle East and the 18th-largest in

the world. With 78.4 million

inhabitants, Iran is the world's 17th-

most-populous country.

Figure 3. Location of Iran on map. Source: Iran Traveling Center, 2007

Figure 2. Flag of Iran Source: Iran Traveling Center, 2007

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Iran_(orthographic_projection).svg

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Flag_of_Iran.svg

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The culture of Iran is one of the oldest in the

Middle East.

Iran's culture has manifested itself in several

facets throughout the history of Iran as well as the

Caucasus, Central Asia, Anatolia, and Mesopotamia.

1

2

Iranian works of art show a great variety in

style, in different regions and periods. The main

connections between these works are

iconographic motifs. Combination is another major element in the art of Iran,

specifically the depictions of composite human and animal

figures, which also refer to the mythology of Iran.

3

Iranian art encompasses many

disciplines, including architecture,

painting, weaving, pottery,

calligraphy, metalworking, and

stonemasonry.

Figure 4. Safavid-era painting. Source: Iran Culture, 2011

Figure 5. Antique Persian Mashad Rug Source: Iran Culture, 2011

3

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Miniator_hotel_shah_abbas_deevar.jpg

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Antique_Persian_Mashad_rug.jpg

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Iran Engraving is defined as the art of carving

delicate designs on metal and this art has

always been done in the Iranian method and its

designs have also been traditional ones.

1

Isfahan is the main center for engraving. 3

Timeline • Sassanid (700AD)

• The Seljuk – (100 AD)

• The Safavid (1600 AD)

• Late Ostad Mohammad

Oraizi and the Late Ostad

Mohammad Taghi Zufan

during the past eighty years.

(1936-Present)

The historical discoveries belonging to the ancient

times as the Sassanid, the Seljuk and the Safavid

dynasties indicate a few of the outstanding

metal work periods.

4

Iran engraving is done on different metals such

as copper, brass, silver, gold and also some

alloys.

2

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In ancient times the surviving monuments of Persian art are notable for a

tradition concentrating on the human figure (mostly male, and

often royal) and animals. Persian art continued to place larger emphasis on figures than Islamic art from other areas,

though for religious reasons now generally avoiding large examples, especially in metal

work.

The motifs that can be found in persian art include floral patterns,

geometrics, arabesques, mythical creatures, rosettes, paisley

patterns, palmettes, medallions, border and marginal decorations,

scrolls, curves, and hunting scenes. These motifs exemplify the Iranian artist's traditional devotion to symmetry, harmonious

pattern, and purity of line and form.

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Simple motif in Iran can be seen

where the motifs are designed

with floral arrangement along

with Islamic calligraphy.

The floral motif was usually

designed with repetition

arrangement while the

calligraphy usually placed at

the specific place on the

product.

1

2

Figure 6. Engraved Brass Platter, 1940, Iran Source: Mevlevi, 2015

Figure 7. Persian Ornate Copper Tray Plaque

Source: Mevlevi, 2015

Figure 8. Copper Bowl, Safavid, 17th Century, Iran Source: AncientPoint, 2009

http://www.engraversjournal.com/article.php/2196/images/HistoryFig1BIG.jpg



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Ornate Hand

Hammered Engraved

Brass Tray:

This tray is hand embossed

with a profusion of

wonderful Middle Eastern

motifs, with a large central

field of floral motifs, along

with ornate Arabic

calligraphy in the borders.

Engraved "Love From East". Figure 9. Engraved "Love

from East" can be seen in the borders.

Source: Mevlevi, 2015

Figure 10. Large Central Field of Floral Motifs. Source: Mevlevi, 2015




Figure 12. Center of the wall plate decorated with Islamic calligraphy. Source: Mevlevi, 2015

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Persian Ornate Copper Tray Plaque: The motif on the tray are focusing on calligraphy

that placed at the center of the tray which its size

is bigger than any other motif as its act as a main

attraction.

Figure 11. Fine Copper Persian Islamic Dish, 1800, Iran Source: Mevlevi, 2015



Figure 13. The Arabic calligphy is ornate at the upper part of the bowl.

Source: AncientPoint, 2009

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Antique Persian Safavid Bowl: This bowl is made from copper and designed with floral motif and Islamic calligraphy. The body

of bowl is beautifully detailed with a floral motif called herati, which is a flower centred within a

diamond surrounded by curved leaves parallel to each side of the diamond and arranged in

repetition order. In the upper part of the bowl is ornate with arabic calligraphy

Figure 8. Copper Bowl, Safavid, 17th Century, Iran Source: AncientPoint, 2009



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Figure 14. Iran Tray Brass, 1850-1899, Iran

Source: Ancientpoint, 2012

Figure 15. Islamic Silver Tray Brass, 1900-1940, Iran Source: Ancientpoint, 2012

Figure 16. Iranian Metal Box Source: karaffensammler, 2015

Moderate motif design is where

the product was heavily

decorated. The motifs used are

the motif that used a lot by Persian

such as rosette and herati.

The Arabic calligraphy is ornate

more on the art along with

other floral motif to make the

design more beautiful and can be

representing as an Islamic artwork.

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Huge Islamic Tray

Brass Persian:

Arabic calligraphy is

decorated in the middle of

the tray in a circle

arrangement and small

calligraphy is ornamented

around the border of the

tray. At the center of the

tray are engraved with

rosette motif.

Figure 17. Small calligraphy on the border of the

tray, Iran. Source: Ancientpoint, 2012

Figure 18. Islamic calligraphy at the center of the tray as the main design




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Islamic Silver Tray

Brass Copper:

Islamic calligraphy

decorated in the middle of

the tray in the form of

flowers accompanies by

Herati motif arrangement

surround it. There is also a

small geometry pattern

which is eight pointed star

engraved around the

border of the tray.

Figure 19. Flower shaped design in the center with

Islamic calligraphy inside it. Source: Ancientpoint, 2012

Figure 20. Islamic calligraphy at the border of the tray.



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Persian Metal Box:

Arabic calligraphy was

ornamented at the top of

the box accompanied by

simple leaves motif. At the

front of the box, Arabic

calligraphy also engraved

in a circle pattern along

with leaves motif that

usually found in other

Persian art. Figure 21. Front view of the box. Source: karaffensammler, 2015

Figure 22. Close up view of the box.

Source: karaffensammler, 2015



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Figure 23. Silver Plated Brass Dish, Iran

Source: Persian Crafts, 2012

Figure 25. Persian Brass Lamp

Source: karaffensammler, 2015

Figure 24. Candy Nut Pedestal Dish Bowl Platter, Iran


Complex motifs in metal artwork

are usually heavily decorated. The

design are usually consists of

figurative elements and natural

elements combined together.

The motif is usually engraving

through by removing some whole

parts of the metal, a netted shape

will be created which is performed

by cutting tools and hammer.

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Silver Plated Brass

Dish:

Engraved with floral

arrangement that

accompany by figurative

elements which is a human

accompany by a bird as its

main design Figure 26. Also function as Decorative Dishes.

Source: Engraving Handicrafts, 2014

Figure 27. Figurative elements engraved on the bowl.

Source: Engraving Handicrafts, 2014



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Candy Nut Pedestal

Dish Bowl Platter:

Figurative element which is a

bird was engraved along

with other natural elements.

At the center of the bowl,

there are gold inlay in a

shape that resembled a

flower motif. Figure 28. Close view of the dish.

Source: Persian Crafts, 2012 Figure 29. Front view of the dish.




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Persian Brass Qalam

Zani Lamp:

The body of the lamp is

engraved with a heavy

floral element and a

figurative elements which is

a deer and a bird was

engraved at the handle of

the lamp along with herati

motif and Arabic

calligraphy.. Figure 30. Close view of the lamp body. Source: karaffensammler, 2015

Figure 31. Bottom part of the lamp. Source: karaffensammler, 2015



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Iran metal work is the art of carving superb

designs on various metals such as copper, brass,

silver and gold.

1

2 An assortment of hand engraving tools.

“Engraving was a historically important method of producing images on

paper in artistic printmaking, in mapmaking, and also for commercial

reproductions and illustrations for books and magazines.”

Figure 32. Engraving Tools Set (Burin)

Source: F.Bill, 2006

In the modern days, people starts to used a

modern hand engraving. 3

Figure 33. Copper Sheet Source: Yanma, 2014

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Meanwhile, engraving with various plans and methods has been led to

amount of Engraving production whose 6 current methods include:

1 Outstanding Work: In this work, the job is performed on both sides of the

metal making the out stood part on the metal sheet of high appreciation.

2 Half Outstanding or Relief Work:

Half Outstanding or Relief Work: In

this method, the background is

hammered down by an engraving

steel tool and therefore, the plan on

the metal looks outstanding by some

extent.

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Figure 34. Ornate Plate Source: Tareq Rajab Museum, 2012

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3 Special Picture: In this

method, only the lines of the

circumference of the design

are engraved making tiny

and multi designed

background without any

outstanding part.

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Figure. 35 Metal Floral Tray Source: Tareq Rajab Museum, 2010

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4 Engraving through metal Removing: In this method, some part of the

metal is removed by steal tools depressing the metal. In special cases, (if copper has been covered by tin ) the red color shine and gloss of copper

can be observed beside the silver color of tin.

This method is considered to be the oldest Among all the methods of engraving being performed in a

similar course known as carving without hammer.

5 Latticing: By removing some whole

parts of the metal, a netted shape

will be created which is performed

by cutting tools and hammer creating

a job like latticing with hack saw.

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Figure. 36 Latticing Half Vase Source: Tareq Rajab Museum, 2012

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6 Gold Blocking: This is an

excellent pattern of

engraving along which

where the circumference

lines of the plan are

carved placing new soft

metals in their groves. This method is mostly performed

on steel.

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Figure. 37 Engraved Metal Tray Source: Ancients Art, 2012

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Repousse or the Chiselwork, known as „Qalamzani‟ in Persian language, is

one of the most meticulous types of the fine arts in which the lasting

decorative works engraved on metal objects made of gold, silver, copper,

brass or other inexpensive alloy(s) elaborately depicts marvelous images of

various plants and animals.

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Figure. 39 Metalwork with figurative element, made in Isfahan, Iran. Source: Artasania, 2012

Figure. 38 Birds and Natural elements are engraved on the Brass Bowl. Source: Persian Crafts, 2012

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To engrave, first the back side of the work is covered by tar so that during

engraving it prevents the work from getting wavy as a result of hammering

and the pressure of the chisel and from causing a lot of noise.

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Figure. 40 The tar are boiled and placed in a container.

Source: Qalam Zani Metal Work, 2012

Figure. 41 The plate for engraving are place on top of the tar.


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Then the chosen design is transferred on the work and by a tool called

“Nimbor” the main lines are engraved, afterwards different patterns are being

cut by the use of different sorts of chisels on the surface of the work.

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Figure. 42 Then the chosen design is transferred on the work.


Figure. 43 The plate were then engraved by using a chisel following the design.


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Engraving with different sorts of tools whose result will be decorating the metal

with geometric and miniature designs which will be created through

engraving, grazing or pressing the metal surface. The artistic movement of the engraver’s hand and the harmonized blows of the hammer and

engraving tool will be finally led to create a unique job.

3

Figure. 44 The chisel must be pressing the metals surface correctly.


Figure. 45 The movement of the engraver must be harmonized with the blows of the hammer.


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Figure. 46 Iran wine bottle. Source: Iran Culture, 2011 Figure. 47 Engraved Plate

Source: Iran Culture, 2011

Figure. 48 Decorated Goblet Source: Iran Culture, 2011


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Figure. 49 Iran Painting, Jatam Source:

Iran‟s Art, 2007

Figure. 51 Engraving Ring Source: Centuries, 2013

Figure. 50 Iranian Dagger Source: WindJade, 2009


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Metallic heritage objects are sensitive to environmental conditions such as

temperature, humidity, air pollution and exposure to light and ultraviolet light.

They must be protected in a controlled environment where such variables are

maintained within a range of damage-limiting levels.

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Despite the fact that metals are generally considered as the relatively

permanent and stable materials, in contact with the environment they

deteriorate gradually, some faster and some much slower.

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Focused on slowing of deterioration of objects - in case of archaeology

objects the thorough removal or blocking of chloride salts. In case of the

historical objects it is focused on the use of corrosion inhibitors, conversion

coatings, rust converters or eventually oxygen free storage.

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• Persian art place larger emphasis on figures than Islamic art from

other areas, though for religious reasons now generally avoiding large

examples, especially in metal work.

• This motifs are usually applied most in the kitchenware as kitchenware is

the most commonly product that using engraving as decoration in Iran.

• Today, Persians are now began to focuses more on Islamic styles such as

Arabic calligraphy and using natural elements such as flowers and leaves.

The most used motifs are Boteh, Herati, and Rosette.

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BOOKS/JOURNAL:

i. Andrew J. Newman (21 April 2006). Safavid Iran: Rebirth of a Persian Empire. I.B.Tauris. ISBN 978-

1-86064-667-6. Retrieved 1st February 2016.

ii. Canby, Sheila R., 1993, Persian Painting, 1993, British Museum Press, ISBN 9780714114590

iii. Downey, S.B., "Art in Iran, iv., Parthian Art", Encyclopaedia Iranica, 1986, Online text

iv. "Iran – The Ancient Name of Iran", N.S. Gill". Ancienthistory.about.com. 4 September 2010.

Retrieved 4th February 2016.

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WEBSITES:

i. Iran Engraving, (2013) http://www.irantravelingcenter.com/iran-engraving/ Retrieved on 2nd

February 2016

ii. Art of Engraving in Iran,(2015) http://english.tebyan.net/newindex.aspx?pid=98431 Retrieved on

2nd February 2016

iii. Qalamzani: Iranian Art of engraving images on metal , (2010),

https://www.metmuseum.org/toah/ht/06/wai.html Retrieved on 3rd February 2016

iv. Iranian Art, (2013) http://www.visual-arts-cork.com/printmaking/engraving.htm Retrieved on 4th

February 2016

v. Islamic Metalwork, https://islamqa.info/en/68805 Retrieved on 4th February 2016

http://www.irantravelingcenter.com/iran-engraving/




http://english.tebyan.net/newindex.aspx?pid=98431

http://english.tebyan.net/newindex.aspx?pid=98431

https://www.metmuseum.org/toah/ht/06/wai.html

https://www.metmuseum.org/toah/ht/06/wai.html

http://www.visual-arts-cork.com/printmaking/engraving.htm






https://islamqa.info/en/68805

https://islamqa.info/en/68805

Project 1. Metal Engraving/ Copper Tooling (Sem 2, 2015/2016)

Design

Transcript of Project 1. Metal Engraving/ Copper Tooling (Sem 2, 2015/2016)