Hand mirror (M20)
Catalogue Record
Collection
Maker
Robert Legg
Title
Hand mirror
Made in
London
Date
1978
Description
Circular hand mirror with a steel body, with carved fish decoration and a fine gold inlay on the back.
Materials and techniques
Mild steel, turned to basic shape and then carved using hand engraving tools. The steel was gradually carved away to create high areas. The design is interwoven fish forms with modest amounts of fine gold gently hammered into undercut lines. The completed carving was then refined and the mirror was fixed by a sprung wire. Steel coloured by the traditional blueing process.
Tools used are still the traditional ones used by engravers through the ages:
Burin - square tool steel hardened and tempered
Scorper - flat or round steel hardened and tempered
Also one uses chisels. This enables one to remove more material quicker.
Tools used are still the traditional ones used by engravers through the ages:
Burin - square tool steel hardened and tempered
Scorper - flat or round steel hardened and tempered
Also one uses chisels. This enables one to remove more material quicker.
Dimensions
diameter: 7.4cm
Object number
M20
Category
Maker's statement
It is a piece of work which prompted me to resume my early training as a hand/engraver. It will stand as an important experience not only in its technical execution, but also as a design exercise.