Chasing and Repoussé

Chasing and repoussé are the processes used to create an embossed metal piece of jewelry or artwork. Repoussé works on the backside of the metal to form a raised design on the front side. Chasing is the opposite technique to repoussé and refines the design on the front of the work by sinking the metal.

These techniques utilize the plasticity of metal, slowly forming various shapes and patterns. There is no loss of the metal in the process as it is stretched, and the surface remains continuous. The process is painfully slow, but a maximum of form may be achieved.