Hammering, Filing, Annealing – the Exposure of Damascened Iron Objects in the 19th Century

Abstract

The article deals with methods of exposing damascened archaeological iron objects in the 19th century. The methods used before the publication of the first manuals towards the end of that century are in the focus. A development from purely mechanical, through thermal, chemical and combined processes to electrolytic methods can be observed. A procedure developed by Ludwig Lindenschmit the Elder in the second half of the 19th century, which was based on an impregnation with fish-glue, followed by a mechanical exposure by means of a file and a burin, became particularly widespread in Central Europe.