Beaten Metal-lVork 
SCONCE OF BEATEN COPPER WITH 
EGYPTIAN MOTIFS 
Designed and Executed at the Busck Studios 
frames the effectiveness depends largely on 
the proportions, and particularly on the color 
combination of the wood of the frame and 
the reddish tone ot the copper panels. 
The fireplace illustrated on page 577 
shows how effective the simple Norse de¬ 
signs are in metal and the practical use to 
which repousse metal-work can be put. If 
rightly used in a scheme ot decoration, 
effects can be reached which cannot be 
obtained through any other medium. For 
instance, make the bright copper color the 
one warm note in an otherwise severe room, 
a library, a dining-room, where dark oak 
furniture of the square type is used, or how 
charming might it not be in a blue or green 
room if allowed to become irridescent, catch¬ 
ing and reflecting the tints used in the 
decoration. It is not, indeed, in elaboration 
of methods that this work finds its artistic 
success, but in the expression ot the idea 
of art by the human hand; the methods 
and media of past ages being revived for 
the expression of the present art. Surely 
the rosewood casket, with the panels of un¬ 
polished repousse silver forms a bit of color 
and design that might have stood on the 
dressing table of a sixteenth century queen. 
as the metal sinks 
gradually into the 
surface. Here again 
the metal must be 
constantly annealed. 
The design is gradually 
worked out by raising 
here and “setting 
back” there. 
1'he necessary tools 
are comparatively 
simple,and the number 
required is unlimited, 
for the skilful work¬ 
man fashions them 
himself as the occa¬ 
sions arise. 
In addition to the 
book cover by Mr. 
Martin, we give 
several illustrations of 
repousse executed in 
this way on pitch. A 
modern sconce in 
copper is shown on 
page 578. The Egyptian scarabus and the 
lotus are the motif ot the design, the re¬ 
flector symbolizing the whirl of life. In the 
case of metal sconces surrounded by wood 
FIREPLACE FITTING OF HAMMERED BRASS 
Designed and Executed by Craft & Smith 
578 
