L'art du Métal

The Metal Art Vocabulary, the first of its kind in France, proposes to fix the specific language of metal techniques applied to art objects, ethnographic objects and architectural elements. The defined processes cover a period going from Antiquity to the industrial era and concerning goldsmith's work, jewelry, pewter pottery, foundry, brassware and ironwork. The work shows the interest of knowledge and recognition of techniques for the study of shaped metals: silver, gold, electrum, platinum, copper and its alloys, tin, iron, cast iron and steel ... either in structure or in recovery. We know the growing interest in the knowledge of the processes of shaping and decoration of objects: the world of metals is especially rich in the matter and their identification is now part of any work of study, description and enhancement of heritage. . The first of six chapters is devoted to the metals themselves. It is followed by the processes of implementation, decoration, coloring, finishes and assemblies. The notes giving the definitions are based on the description of each process and the way of recognizing it, independently of historical and stylistic criteria. Many terms that are little known or that can be interpreted in different meanings are explained: such as necking, recinging or stamping. The notes situate the historical context, give the dates of appearance and the history of the processes as well as their evolution: they refer, when necessary, to workshop processes or to scientific laboratory studies. With this work, the history of techniques joins the history of the decorative arts.