Repoussé is a French word, meaning to “push out.” In metalsmithing, the term repoussé means to strike sheet metal free-hand from the back with punches to create bas relief, while the term chasing means to strike from the front to countersink, refine repoussé or create incised decoration. Eastern repoussé is a specific technical process of repoussé not merely a design style. – Sharp peaks and valleys are my own stylization within the technique, not what makes it Eastern.

• The delineation of an area to be “puffed” out and repeated going over of the exterior lines.
• The process of working alternately from the front and back usually within a matrix of sheet metal.
• The highly polished tools must always strike the metal perpendicular to the surface no matter how the curvature of the metal changes. The tools must be held just above the necks. The lower you hold the tool, the more control you have over where it hits your work!
• The ability to create multiple levels of relief at any desired height within the laws of physics and met- allurgy.
• Eastern repoussé is almost always done on 24 gauge non-ferrous sheet. When the background on a larger work must be thicker, 22 gauge will work. Typically Eastern repoussé is done on sterling, copper, or 18k gold. Fine silver in any gauge lacks the resistance needed to maintain details while working.
• Plasticine, pitch, and bench blocks are all used to support the metal at different points in the process. Using plasticine (non-hardening modeling clay) when hammering from the back allows the metal to expand into much higher relief. – In antiquity smiths used clay for this step. – Supporting the metal with pitch gives more resistance when refining relief from the front. This allows for greater detail and also keeps the relief from caving back in on itself while still allowing some countersinking if desired.