copperwork

Copperwork is the craft and industry of shaping copper and its alloys to create functional objects and decorative pieces. It covers metal fabrication, sheet-metal work, casting, repoussé and chasing, soldering and brazing, and other methods used on copper, brass, and bronze.

Historically, copper was among the first metals to be smelted and worked by humans. In the Bronze Age, copper alloys enabled stronger tools and weapons. Over centuries, copper and its alloys have been used in architecture, fittings, coinage, and domestic wares, with regional traditions of craftsmanship developing in many cultures.

Common techniques include hammering and raising for hollow forms, repoussé and chasing for relief, soldering and brazing for joining pieces, casting for vessels and sculptures, and machining or stamping for industrial components. Finishing steps include filing, polishing, annealing to relieve stress, and applying protective coatings or patinas such as verdigris to control corrosion and achieve color variation.

Copper is valued for electrical conductivity, malleability, and corrosion behavior. Alloys such as brass (copper-zinc) and bronze (copper-tin) widen properties and color. Modern copperwork spans architecture (roofs, gutters), plumbing components, cookware, sculpture, and decorative arts. Sustainability is enhanced by recyclability, and conservation of historic copperwork involves controlling patina, corrosion, and appropriate restoration techniques.