Hand engraving
The embellishment of metal, precious stones and semi-precious stones using traditional hand tools.
| Status | Currently viable |
| Craft category | Precious metals |
| Historic area of significance | London |
| Area currently practised | London |
| Origin in the UK | 14th century |
| Current no. of professionals (main income) | 150 |
| Current no. of professionals (sideline to main income) |
|
| Current no. of trainees | 14 |
| Current total no. serious amateur makers |
|
| Current total no. of leisure makers |
|
| Minimum no. of craftspeople required |
History
This section is currently under construction. Please see the website of the Hand Engravers Association of Great Britain.
Techniques
This section is currently under construction. Please see the website of the Hand Engravers Association of Great Britain.
There are two types of hand engravers:
-
those who work engrave on other people’s items as a commercial engraver
-
those who engrave on one off objects as an artist/craftsperson
Both are alive and well but are both affected by an ageing workforce and a shortage of trainees.
Local forms
Sub-crafts
- Copperplate engraving
Issues affecting the viability of the craft
- The number of people practising the craft is falling, but the demand is not, so those who are practising are doing well. However, an ageing workforce and finding people willing to train for the time required is the major issue in the craft and there are few trainees. And the craft is only taught by the Hand Engravers’ Association.
Support organisations
Craftspeople currently known
Other information
The Hand Engravers Association is running the Paperweight Project, which is designed to create a permanent record of contemporary hand engraving. Participants produce an engraving of their choosing on a 5cm silver square mounted on a cube. Over 50 works have been submitted so far and these are on display at the Clockmakers’ Museum (housed in the Science Museum).
