Koftgari, How is it done?

Jens Nordlunde · 19th March 2007, 01:44 PM

Jeff,

I think it is wire. Had it been foil, there would not have been so much left in the middle of the crosses, as the foil will be equally thick all over, but the wire would be thicker in the middle. If you look at the edges and see what has gone, and at the same time remember how very thin the foil, which they used was, then I think even less of the silver had been left had they used foil. Besides, I don’t think they used so small pieces of foil as they would have to take it with a pincer and hold it in place while they hammered at it, and I can’t see how they could do that with objects this small.

Jens

Pukka Bundook · 19th March 2007, 02:00 PM

Jeff, Jens,
I think maybe I should have taken a close-up of the handle part.
There, the silver has nearly all gone, but the hilt appears to be covered in an undulating pattern, the high parts where the silver was, and furrows between.
This May be accounted for by rust at some time, eating down the surface not protected by the silver, Or an intentional acid bath?
All I know is, the hilt feels and looks very textured.

I think, wether wire or foil was used, doing such repetative work,
I'd go daft after a very short time!
Thank you for your input!

Richard.

Jeff Pringle · 19th March 2007, 03:27 PM

Quote:

Had it been foil, there would not have been so much left in the middle of the crosses, as the foil will be equally thick all over, but the wire would be thicker in the middle.

Good point, I agree.
I was trying to imagine the whole surface covered in larger pieces of foil, with the design scraped through, but everything seems to point more toward wire, which is the common way of building up designs on these swords anyway.

Quote:

There, the silver has nearly all gone, but the hilt appears to be covered in an undulating pattern, the high parts where the silver was, and furrows between.

Usually, there is some attempt to erase the crosshatching where it is not holding silver on the surface, more or less effective depending on the craftsmanship. That, plus some rust are more likely than an acid treatment.
Jeff

19th March 2007, 01:44 PM	#1
Jens Nordlunde Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Europe Posts: 2,718	Jeff, I think it is wire. Had it been foil, there would not have been so much left in the middle of the crosses, as the foil will be equally thick all over, but the wire would be thicker in the middle. If you look at the edges and see what has gone, and at the same time remember how very thin the foil, which they used was, then I think even less of the silver had been left had they used foil. Besides, I don’t think they used so small pieces of foil as they would have to take it with a pincer and hold it in place while they hammered at it, and I can’t see how they could do that with objects this small. Jens

19th March 2007, 02:00 PM	#2
Pukka Bundook Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 803	Jeff, Jens, I think maybe I should have taken a close-up of the handle part. There, the silver has nearly all gone, but the hilt appears to be covered in an undulating pattern, the high parts where the silver was, and furrows between. This May be accounted for by rust at some time, eating down the surface not protected by the silver, Or an intentional acid bath? All I know is, the hilt feels and looks very textured. I think, wether wire or foil was used, doing such repetative work, I'd go daft after a very short time! Thank you for your input! Richard.