Repousse

A metalwork technique for decorating surfaces, it is achieved by hammering the reverse of the object. It is a method to create relief panels from sheet metal and copper. Source: Ralph Mayer, "A Dictionary of Art Terms and Techniques"<br><br>The method of producing metal relief by hammering and/or punching a sheet of metal from the back. The metal is usually hammered into a prepared mold, then final details are engraved onto the front of the relief. Materials raised by repouss? can either stop at having embossed surfaces, or they can be taken beyond such a relief stage to result in an object that must be seen in the round. Because it comes to us in a past tense form in French, it is inappropriate to add -ed in English usage.(pr. RE-poo-SAY)