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Metal

The diversity of metals is vast, and their use varies according to their properties, with more or less high costs. They are classified according to their ferrous or oxidizable compositions, for example. These materials must be heated before being shaped, forged, rolled, tinned, hammered, spun, and engraved.

Bronze makers

The bronze maker works in different disciplines in the creation or restoration areas. They manufacture some bronzes for furniture, lighting, table silverware, religious pieces, ancient bronzes, and statues of small size or monumental structures.

They shape pieces of style and modern elements. Bronze is the base material, and silver or solid metals are used equally.

Bronze is an alloy of copper and tin. Copper is resistant to the effects of time, and tin resists oxidation. The first pieces made in bronze date from prehistory, the Bronze Age (2000 BC).

Blacksmith of rasps

The handcrafting of the stitched rasps begins with a rigorous selection of steel. Several stages are necessary before obtaining a perfectly finished rasp. The steel part is forged, rolled, cut, annealed, grounded, and polished.

It takes two years to train a worker to make a rasp. The manufacturing time for a piece is 90 minutes. This profession is practiced in the heart of Auvergne.

Handcraft rasps by Ets Logier - www.liogier-france.fr

Copperware

The copperware craftsman shapes copper, tin foils, and tinplate foils by hammering them. He creates utilitarian objects, such as making pots and pans, which are especially appreciated by chefs because copper is a good heat conductor.

There are several copperware centers in France, the best known of which is based in Villedieu-Les-Poêles in Normandy, where it is possible to see a craftsman hammer a part. (You can see the bell foundry in this spot too).

Embossing, hammering, and tinning are the essential milestones for the design. The spinning of the copper is done on a specific lathe and by a skilled craftsman to this technique.

He must hammer the surface with regular movements to obtain a homogeneous result. The tin plating phase is used to lay a layer of tin, protect the copper, and avoid contact with food. The re-tinning is done regularly by these craftsmen on old pieces.

Goldsmith

This craftsman works with precious metals like copper, tin, silver, and gold, and he has a detail-oriented sense and a creative spirit. Before getting the finished piece, several previously melted elements are welded, polished, chiseled, and engraved.

The guild dates from the Roman Empire with coin makers, bracelets, helmets, and shields. The tools were advanced over the centuries. These are several years of practice to have the perfect gesture, the work of the hammer, the spinning, the lathe, the decoration, etc. A varied work including the art of the table, the restoration of silverware, and luxury faucets.

Gold leaf maker 

This craft is to manufacture gold leaf for a wide range of applications. The melted material at 1200 degrees is cast into a mold to obtain a lingot. The workpiece is then rolled, with several passages under the machine, to stretch it.

The thin ribbon of about thirty meters obtained is cut to the required dimensions. Then comes the hammering phase, which aims to flatten the gold using a machine several times. Finally, these thin sheets are delicately rolled by hand between pages for easy handling later. They must be applied with a brush by the gilder. They are also used by bronzers, bookbinders, restorers, glassblowers, and even in the food sector.

Locksmith of art

Being an art locksmith means being fond of metalworking. A metal heated at high temperature to shape, forge, weld, file, and chisel. The French word "serrure" comes from "sera" in Latin, which means to tighten.

Knowing the various materials is essential, whether for steel, bronze, brass, aluminum, or copper. The practice of gilding, varnishing, and patina techniques is paramount to getting a beautiful final appearance.

There are many designs of locks, including some recessed locks, key locks, and security locks invented by Joseph Bramah, an English mechanic.

As M. Francois Husson described in his historical study of French craftsmen, he is a worker of magnificent talent whose metal obeys him and takes the most delicate forms according to his inspiration and his slightest fancy.

A new lock was approved by the Royal Academy of Science, invented and created in 1786
by Ambroise Landry, a soldier of the French guards, and mechanic of the Chapel in Franche-Comté.

Metal sculptures

Daniela Capaccioli's passion is to make metal sculptures and shape wire mesh. His talent allows him to model this material, to make it malleable, to infuse it with a certain lightness, and to create magnificent poetic sculptures.

Gifted for drawing, she first became interested in modeling, then trained in scenography and took courses in fine arts in Milan. She also worked with terracotta, clay, and ceramics and had the opportunity to exhibit some of her magical creations. These pieces are now regularly exhibited in gardens, castles, and other places. This allows us to have a new look and to let our imagination wander.

Enchantment of the waters

Trench art

Trench art refers to the creation of objects made in the trenches during soldiers' moments of respite by the soldiers and to occupy their minds. The metal was available in quantity with the shell cases. Copper was hammered, engraved, and often adorned with a flower.

Traditional houses in the north of France still have these copper objects, often narrow-shaped vases. However, there were a variety of items, such as lighters, metal cups, helmets, and even masterpieces like miniature planes, boats, and musical instruments.

This exceptional violin below was made by Private Max Nicholls from the 30th battalion AIF during the First World War. He was a teacher in Tasmania when he enlisted in 1915. The instrument, made with a German field telephone box, was carved and decorated. Some German words have been engraved as Not kennt kein Gesetz (Necessity knows no law) and Eile mit weile (Haste makes waste). You can find more information on the Australian War Memorial website.

Credit photo - Courtesy of the Australian War Memorial.