Copper box with althea design in damascene inlay

Description

• Category
  Metalwork
• Materials
  Copper
• Dimensions
  H 14.2 x W 17.1 x D 9.8 cm
• Year of creation
  2024
• Rarity
  Unique

Techniques Used

Metal inlay

In metal inlay (zōgan), designs are cut into the surface of a piece and inlaid with a different metal of contrasting color or texture.

Chisel engraving

Chisel engraving (hori) consists of using engraving chisels to embellish the surface of metalwork. Techniques include standard hairline engraving (kebori) performed with a V-shaped chisel, wedge-shaped dot engraving (keribori) performed with a triangular chisel, and metal cutting (hatsuribori) performed with especially sharp flat chisels.

Metal overlay

In metal overlay (nunome zōgan), a chisel is used to create patterns of fine crosshatching over which leaves of gold, silver, or lead may be affixed to create decorative surface details. Literally “cloth-pattern inlay,” nunome zōgan takes its name from the distinctive crosshatching pattern used to affix the metal leaf.

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Selected exhibitions

• The 71st Japan Traditional Kōgei Exhibition (2024)
• Selected