Brassing to Recreate Images

There are great rewards to the difficult hobby that is brassing and you will hear the same thing from this one couple who find much joy in doing this. If you ask them nicely they may actually tell you what it is all about. The art of brassing makes use of certain images from the flat metal figures seen in tombs, images in churches in stones, as well as any other decor from 13th to 17th Century England and prints these on paper to make artwork that could be displayed. When you would like to get more information on charcoal portraits from photos check out this site.

Considering this context, the process may seem easy but the couple says that it is not. England was home to this couple for four years until about a year ago when they were moved to an Air Force base. A lot of items including antique dishes, utensils, furniture, and other things have been obtained by this couple considering their interest when it comes to collecting antiques. Brassing is very popular in England and the couple became interested in it when they were there unlike in the United States where it is somewhat unheard of.

Not only were engraved flat brass portraits placed on tombs but some were also placed on the floors of nearby churches during the 13th Century as a way for the upper class English to honor their dead. Image transfers are done with the help of a special gold colored wax bar that is used to rub the special black paper that is placed over the brasses.

Producing an image is the wax as it rubs off on the paper following the ridges in the brass. The couple brought back more than 200 of the paper images and one duplicate brass from the original monument. When it comes to the brass they treasure most, this was of Sir John d' Abernon who died in battle in 1277. This is the earliest known brass, and is so popular with people who take rubbings that appointments were booked months ahead of time. When you would like to get more information on baby portraits drawings check out this site.

What the Vicars in charge of the brasses were strict about as the couple said was only permitting those who have experience to make duplicates of the brasses. Due to the actions of some Americans that brought back duplicates and then sold them in New York for $2,000 each the English are now stricter when it comes to allowing people to make duplicates even requiring them to sign waivers that state the absence of any intent to sell.

Only 8,000 monuments remain from the large number that was originally put down from 1250 to 1650. Tracing the development of armor, clothing, and lifestyle all became possible after the historians were able to find clues from the monuments by means of these brasses. From these came about information that included a lion pictured at the feet of a knight means that he died in battle as well as a hound at someone's feet meant that he liked to hunt with dogs.

Art is catching up in the US and so there are only a few brasses that exist in the country. When it comes to rubbing this can be used to copy decorative engravings, manhole covers, and even etchings on tombstones. A hobby like this is still enjoyable even if the couple needed four hours to complete the rubbing of Sir d' Abernon. Other than being asked by art shows for a display of their rubbings, the couple was also invited by schools.