Spinning lathe

Questions on polishing, restoration, conservation + manufacturing techniques
Post Reply
amena
contributor
Posts: 1305
Joined: Fri Jan 20, 2012 8:42 am

Spinning lathe

Post by amena »

Observing many religious objects (chalices and patens and pyxes) of the beginning and the end of the eighteenth century, I noticed that some are obtained by lathe spinning while others are obtained by hand raising.
I wonder when it came into use the spinning lathe and why the two technologies have coexisted for so long time.
Does anyone can tell me where I can find information about ?
Thanks for attention
Amena
AG2012
contributor
Posts: 5576
Joined: Fri Apr 13, 2012 9:47 am

Re: Spinning lathe

Post by AG2012 »

Hi,
Lathe cannot replace raising silver on a stake.
Rotation of silver sheet fixed on lathe can produce perfectly circular items but not e.g. a sauce boat. It has to be raised on a stake.
It seems silversmiths often started with lathe (the mark seen in the middle on bottom plate in many silver items) and then finished with raising, chasing, embossing etc. So, both methods were complementary. But again, the form of many irregular silver items was simply not possible to work on lathe.
There are many short videos showing lathe turning and raising, as well as hammer raising silver on stake.
Regards
Post Reply

Return to “Silver Care / Techniques”