December 1999

Precious Metals & Bench: Metalsmithing

Anticlastic Raising: Basics

Throughout the centuries, metalsmiths used the synclastic metal raising process to create useful objects such as bowls. Anticlastic raising was used to make details – such as spouts, handles and lipped edges. Michael Good uses curved stakes on which he bends annealed metal and then delivers the hammer blows that result in the anticlastic form. He may further shape the form using synclastic raising and other techniques.

Here's how the two processes work: In the simplest type of synclastic raising (below), hammers are used to stretch the center of a sheet of metal, while compressing the edges so that they fold inward toward the center, creating a bowl-like form.
Synclastic Raising Anticlastic Raising
In anticlastic raising (above), the smith compresses the center of the sheet and stretches its edges, forcing two sides to curl under and two sides to curve upward, resulting in the classic anticlastic form.
The classic anticlastic-raised form is illustrated in this gold object by Michael Good.

Information source: Michael Good and Aurum, The International Review for Manufacturers, Designers and Retailers of Gold Jewellery.

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