Brent Berry Arts

Repoussé / Repousse

The ancient art of embossing or pressing shapes into metal to create a design.

This process has been used for thousands of years. It's almost a lost art nowadays.

I am only an experimenter at embossing metal compared to some master artists.

Repousse - Hand embossed metal

I've always liked ancient art and metal art. I used to work as a metal fabricator for a company that made a large variety of products from metal. I enjoyed the job and learned a lot about working with metal. I had wanted to do repousse for a long time but it was so different and I didn't' know where to start. One day after going to see the Russian Nomads exhibit in Denver, I decided to start experimenting with repousse and soon was making my own. I started doing repousse work in 1990. I start with a thin piece of Brass. I draw the design on with pencil and then use a variety of small tools and a rubber block to add each shape into the metal. Some shapes are hammered in and some are done with hand pressure. The design is worked into the metal from both sides, one bend at a time. If a mistake is made it's usually permanent, the metal is not forgiving! After the tool work, I use volcanic pumice, acids and polish to finish the surface. They take a while to do but its the only way I know of to make them. I don't do them very often but they are rewarding when they come out right.

Markings I almost never put my name directly on my repoussé work, only marks. These are not registered hallmarks, they are simply a way to permanently mark my metal work in a way that doesn't ruin the design. I want many of my works to look like ancient original pieces. I'm proud of my repousse but I think a modern looking name on of this kind of artwork is too distracting. How a piece looks is sometimes more important to me than getting instant recognition. This work is the result of passion.

Some older repousse work

Ancient Robot		Egyptian Goddess Isis
Babylonian King	Etruscan Chariot	African Mask
Byzantine Eagle	Russian Nomad Leopard	Imperial Russian Double Eagle
Russian Czar pin	Medieval Maiden	Early style Imperial Russian Eagle
German Knight and Maiden	Babylonian Priest	Native American Sunrise.

Pieces made after 2004

Viking Compass	Wind in my sail	Engraved Vegvisir
Electric Kiss	Thor's Hammer	Wind in her hair
Stone of Blood	Blue Truth	Denmark in my blood
Celtic Impulse	Nordic Guidance	Mjölnir
Greek Satyr	Aegishjalmur	Hippocampus
Simple Norse Knot	Thor's Hammer Copper Disc	Thor's Hammer Disc On Slate

I'm starting to do repoussé again.

2012 - My wrist has been giving me so much trouble that I had about given up on doing anymore hand embossed metal work but now that I've begun to work with thicker metal, my wrist may be able to handle it. I know that sounds strange but when I worked with the thin brass over a rubber mat, I had to use a lot of hand pressure with the tools to shape the metal. Even though the metal was thin, it took a lot of direct hand pressure and that was what was hurting my wrist. Now I am using repoussé pitch, thicker metal, and striking the tools with a hammer instead using hand pressure. So far, my wrist is handling it. I've done very little embossing with pitch so I have much to learn but I'm just happy to be back to manipulating metal again.

A few of my first pieces of Copper and Pitch repousse since starting again using thicker metal.

They are a bit rough but I like that crude ancient look. The larger disc with Thor's hammer is about 5 inches.

I doubt I will ever be able to accomplish the smooth knotwork or detailed results that I did with the thinner

metal but hopefully I can improve with time.

VIKING INSPIRED REPOUSSE FOR SALE FREE SHIPPING IN THE USA!
	Thor's Hammer Disc - Hammered Copper $100.
	Norse / Viking Copper Domed Disc plaque #1 $160.
	Norse / Viking Copper and Brass Domed Disc plaque #2 SOLD
	Mjolnir - Mjølner - Mjölner - Mjölnir Large Hammer of Thor Wall Plaque A large Thor's Hammer symbol mounted on copper covered wood Dimensions of the hammer: 12" X 8" Dimensions of the plaque: 18" X 14 .5" Weight: 6 pounds Item # HT-WP $1150. Free shipping in USA, $20. for overseas shipping.
OTHER ITEMS FOR SALE
	HEAVY COPPER BRACELET #1 $40. (Arm Bracelet)
	HEAVY COPPER BRACELET #2 $60. (Arm Bracelet)
FREE SHIPPING IN THE USA !

Since 2013, I haven't done any new repousse work. I thought I could continue but my wrist and back feel worn out. I've been slowing down with many things. I don't want to stop doing metal work but I may have no choice. I have to make things, it's in my blood! In the past I've always done traditional art, things made using physical materials such as paint, paper, canvas, wood, glass, metal, fabric, leather, etc. In recent years I've done a lot of digital art, photo manipulation, etc. I like it but it's not enough. Now I've been experimenting with sound and music. I'm not a musician but know what sounds good to me and I can create through experimentation. It's still experimental but I hope to eventually create something new, original and enjoyable.

A few new things for 2024

Yes, It's been a long time since I've added anything new to this site. I haven't stopped creating things, it's just that all my inspiration has been going into making music instead of visual art . It happened gradually starting around 2011 for several reasons. Most of the tracks I produce are instrumentals and oddly, or maybe predictably, many of the moods and atmospheres seem to match the moods and feelings my artwork expressed. I have some older music out there publicly available, as "Circuitry and Soul" but I haven't published any music since 2019. Now I've have a lot of new music but I'm slowing down. Maybe...

I began experimenting with Repousse (hand embossed metal) around 1988 but had to stop in 2012 because of arthritis. It was at that time I started focusing more on composing and producing music. Even while making music I still had desires to play with metal again. One day I picked up an old rusty steel headlight housing from a 1930s car that I had lying around for over 30 years. I had always imagined transforming it into a Viking styled helmet and today was the day. That inspired me do two more repousse.

After the Viking helmet I started another helmet project using a WWII Swedish military helmet shell for the dome for an ancient styled helmet with brass embellishments. After that helmet I was having pain but I still want to complete a few more pieces. I did what I could but finally had to stop doing metal work. It's still a happy ending because I can make music and that's what I do now.

So I'm adding these few new things below. I don't know when or if I'll have more later. For now, I shall return to the laboratory and continue experimenting.

Best wishes to all!

Brent

Nordic and Viking T shirts and more available at my Cafepress Store.

SORRY, I DON'T DO CUSTOM WORK

Links to good sites with info about repoussé etc.

Wikipedia - Repoussé and chasing - Repousse Info

Chasing and Repoussé - Excellent info about repousse techniques and more

All images on this website are copyrighted property of Brent Berry & brentberryarts.com 2004 - 2024

Please ask before you use my images.