SCULPTURE. 451 



The first thing to be done is, to saw out from a larger block of 

 marble, a block proportioned to the size of the work which is un- 

 dertaken. After this, the sculptor shapes the gross masses of the 

 forms he designs to represent, by knocking off the superfluous par(s 

 of marble with a strong mallet or beel, and a strong steel tool called 

 a point. 



When the block is thus hewn out agreeably to the measures pre- 

 riously tak'>n for the performance of the work, the sculptor brings 

 it nearer to the intended form by means of a finer point ; and some, 

 times of a tool called a dog's tooth, having two points, but less 

 sharp than the single one. 



After this he uses the gradine, which is a flat cutting tool, with 

 three teeth, but is not so strong as the point. 



Having advanced his work with the gradine, he usesthe chisel 

 to take off the ridges left by the former tools ; and by the dexte- 

 rous and delicate use of (his instrument, he gives softness and ten. 

 derness to the figure, till at length, by taking a rasp, which is a 

 sort of a file, he brings his work into a proper state for being po. 

 lished. 



Rasps are of several kinds, some straight, some curved, and 

 some harder or softer than others. 



When the sculptor has thus far finished his work with the best 

 tools he can procure, wherever certain parts or particular works 

 require polishing, he uses pumice-stone to make all the parts 

 smooth and even. He then goes over them with tripoli, and when 

 he would give a still higher gloss, he rubs them with leather and 

 straw- ashes. 



Besides the tools already mentioned, sculptors use also the pick, 

 which is a small hammer pointed at one end, and at the other 

 formed with teeth made of good steel and squared, to render them the 

 stronger. This serves to break the marble, and is used in all places 

 where the two hands cannot be employed to manage the mallet and 

 chisel. 



The bouchard, which is a piece of iron, well steeled at the bot- 

 tom, and formed into several strong and short points like a dia- 

 mond, is used for making a hole of equal dimensions, which cannot 

 be done with cutting tools. The bouchard is driven with the mal- 

 let or beetle, and its points bruise the marble and reduce it to 

 powder. Water is thrown into the hole from time to time, in pro. 

 portion to the depth that is made, to bring out the dust of the 



3cf* 



