handpounded

Handpounded is a term used in metalworking and related crafts to describe objects formed or finished by hammering with hand tools rather than by machine pressing or casting. The process typically involves placing a metal blank on an anvil or similar hard surface and striking it with a hammer to shape contours, texture the surface, or reduce thickness in targeted areas.

Artisans use various hammering approaches. General hammering creates a textured or faceted surface; planishing yields a smoother finish; repoussé and chasing produce relief by forming metal from the back and front. The choice of hammer type, handle weight, and the pace of strikes, along with intermittent annealing, influence the final appearance and work hardening of the metal.

Materials most commonly handpounded include gold, silver, copper, brass, and other alloys, as well as some soft steels used in decorative items. Jewelry, bowls, cups, plaques, and other decorative objects frequently employ handpounded finishes for their tactile quality and play of light.

Historically, hand pounding was a primary method of forming metal before automated stamping and CNC forming became widespread. Today it remains valued in artisanal and traditional crafts for its organic texture, individuality, and demonstrable craft.

Care and maintenance of handpounded pieces emphasize avoiding aggressive abrasives that erode texture and using mild cleaning and polishing to preserve the irregular surface.