Apply historical, decorative and repoussé blacksmithing techniques

Blacksmithing is an ancient craft that still has significant relevance in the modern world and the blacksmith has the opportunity to work on historical ironwork from many periods of history. This standard addresses the development of the craft and its decorative and functional progression over the centuries. Specialist decorative techniques such as repoussé are an integral part of the story of decorative ironwork as well as the need for an appreciation of the functional qualities of forgework products. These skills still have relevance when working within the contemporary field. Knowledge of the conservation requirements is also a key component of the Blacksmiths craft when dealing with the preservation and repair of our historical ironwork heritage. This work will involve the use of a range of techniques, tools and materials, some of which may be bespoke to the project in hand.

This standard is particularly suitable to individuals making a specific

contribution as a technician or other specialist, as well as those who are beginning to work in craft and supporting more established crafts people, employed as freelancers or working within an organisation/company.

The following should be considered when working in craft:

1. Safe working practices

2. Ethics and sustainability

P1 carry out repoussé techniques

P2 produce repoussé punches

P3 produce repoussé stakes

P4 produce cupped repoussé work

P5 produce faced repoussé work

P6 produce tools for your work

P7 work safely

K1 the specialist tooling used in the production of repoussé and decorative forgings 

K2 repoussé techniques

K3 decorative skills and elements

K4 techniques of blacksmithing conservation

K5 the architectural/historical periods for ironwork in Britain

K6 the health and safety management requirements in the forge

environment

1 use repoussé techniques including:

1.1 motifs

1.2 masks

1.3 shelled forms

1.4 light relief

1.5 figurative

1.6 coat of arms

2 make use of materials including

2.1 iron (pure or wrought)

2.2 steel

2.3 copper

2.4 brass

2.5 aluminium

2.6 titanium

3 use a range of methods including:

3.1 stake

3.2 pitch block

3.3 lead block

3.4 annealing

3.5 wood block

4 use a range of tools including:

4.1 punches

4.2 chasing tools

4.3 stakes/horns

4.4 sand bags

4.5 specialist hammers

4.6 spring veining tools

5 produce and combine the following traditional decorative elements with

repoussé forms including:

5.1 complex scroll forms

5.2 rosettes

5.3 twists

5.4 leaves

5.4.1 water

5.4.2 blown back

5.4.3 bevel

6 Repoussé forms

6.1 rosettes

6.2 acanthus faced

6.3 acanthus cupped

6.4 heavy incised

6.5 figurative

6.5.1 animals

6.5.2 birds

6.5.3 human/mythical forms

6.5.4 masks

7 use a range of methods including:

7.1 appliqué

7.2 piercing

7.3 chasing

7.4 chiseling

7.5 profiling

7.6 surface texturing

7.7 etching

8 produce tools including:

8.1 punches

8.2 chasing tools

8.3 specialist hammers

8.4 stakes/horns

8.5 lead blocks

8.6 pitch blocks

8.7 dishing blocks

1 the techniques of blacksmithing conservation:

1.1 methods

1.1.1 restoration

1.1.2 conservation

1.1.3 preservation

1.2 materials

1.3 record keeping

1.4 corrosion control

1.4.1 materials

1.4.2 methods

1.4.3 electrochemical series

1.4.4 coatings

1.5 researching

1.5.1 guidelines

1.5.2 process

1.5.3 heritage organisations

1.5.4 sources

2 the history of repoussé metalwork including:

2.1 historical perspective :

2.1.1 aesthetic periods

2.1.2 European architectural periods

2.1.3 vernacular ironwork

2.2 materials including:

2.2.1 types

2.2.2 modes of supply

2.3 the context of repoussé methods used during different historical

    periods eg baroque, rococo