Copper Through the Ages 1

Family Heirlooms

My Grandmother created these beautiful pieces of copper, sometime in the early 1900s. They were made in school, as copper working was a common part of the curriculum in those days. Many people we talk to remember classes of that sort being part of theirs or their family member’s education.

Grandma hand-tooled these wonderful pieces probably using the ancient technique called “chasing” which is still used by some artisans today. The flat forms are worked from the front with steel punches and a hammer; outlining, undercutting, and texturing on a pitch bowl, and perfected with each stroke of the hammer. The result is an exceptionally unique and beautiful piece of artwork.

Today’s schools are equipped with the most expensive and elaborate high tech tools in their shop classes, but it is awe inspiring to recognize that the classes of Grandma’s day taught such an exquisite art form using simple hand tools and a person’s own ingenuity.