Damascening

Damascening - (Metal, Decoration) Metal decorated by inlays of gold and/or silver wire, the design being undercut into the surface to be decorated and the precious metals hammered into the grooves. This form of decoration is of great antiquity and is often found on weapons.

Pattern welding or Damascening, the traditional method for making decorative patterns on forged products, originated some hundred years before Christ. Early examples from the Orient show patterns resultant from the metallurgical processes used at ancient time. Later, melting and forging were developed so that skillful forge masters of around 500 AD could make the most artistic products by pattern welding.

Such damascene-forged swords or knives dominated the weapon industry from the Iron age to the Viking age. The possibilities of combining a hard edged material with a tough backing material were used. The magical image of the patterns made the owner feel invincible.

Steel pieces of at least two different compositions (Carbon or Phosphorous), were welded together and then kneaded by forging, producing a laminated material of about 100 layers. The patterns were made visible by etching the metal surface. Old swords and knives from the Viking or Anglo-Saxon periods often show magnificent patterns.

The name "Damascus" is attributed by some scholars to Damaskos, son of Hermes, who is said to have lived in this area and given it his name. Others attribute the name to the myth of Askos or that of Damas, who accompanied Dionysias, and offered him a skene (skin) thus the name "Damaskene". While others believe that the origin of the name came from Damakina, the wife of the god of water. Linguistically analysed, some feel that the name "Damascus" was derived from "The Water Land."

Many American antique clocks have “damascened” pendulum bobs. An example of a Seth Thomas damacened pendulum bob is pictured below. These are extremely desirable and, when occasionally found as a “spare part” bring hundreds of dollars, just for the pendulum bob. The larger they are, the more pricey.

Spanish Damascened Clock

Tibetian Damascening Saddle

Damascene Sword Blade

Chinese Damascening

Damascening Gun

Damascening Multi Blade Eating Set