Copper, noble by nature

Considered a noble metal like gold and silver, copper is also found pure in nature. Despite its mark of nobility, it does not mind being associated with other less illustrious elements such as tin, zinc, or nickel to produce alloys from which bronze, brass, and alpaca (German silver)  are made into all kinds of everyday objects: pipes, musical instruments or boat propellers. Thanks to its flexibility, it is also associated with gold and, depending on its proportion in the alloy, yellow, red, or pink gold is obtained.

Pure copper has been used throughout the ages to create artistic works using two techniques: hammering and embossing.  The artisan works from a thin sheet of a luminous reddish color. He cuts it according to the established pattern and begins the process of hammering by hand to obtain a uniform texture of the plate. It is a long and meticulous task that requires patience and precision with firm and regular strokes. Once this phase is finished, the hammered sheet is adapted to the chosen mold. It is heated to give it the desired shape and then immersed in cold water to harden it. Finally, it is polished to become a utilitarian or artistic piece, some of which we have in stock at Snowdrop.

Embossing is another form of craftsmanship and consists of carving the thin sheet of metal by exerting pressure on it with round-pointed burins and hammers to obtain ornamental drawings in relief. This method was used to make bracelets, crowns or religious images.

On the island of Cyprus (Cyprium), in the Mediterranean, were found the first mines that managed to supply the demands of the area. This is the origin of the name copper – cuprum in Latin -. There are ancient testimonies of its use throughout the Middle East and Turkey region where kitchen objects, carved lamps, and handicrafts for tourists are still made.

We would not have enough space to list its many uses since ancient times in history. The North American natives, 4000 years B.C., cold hammered it to make it harder and more resistant and manufactured their utensils with it, as evidenced by many remains found in Lake Superior, Michigan. Some pre-Hispanic cultures in South America had developed a decent metallurgical industry. In ancient Greece, pure copper cauldrons were struck when a king died to scare away any undesirable spirits that might come looking for the deceased. Asia and Europe minted their coins, forged ceremonial drums, and all kinds of ornamental elements for temples and cathedrals, such as bells, candlesticks, and monumental doors in bronze (a mixture of copper and tin).