Engraving, the practice of cutting or etching writing or symbols into a material, has been around since ancient times. Whilst this method of art saw our ancestors documenting their life through engravings on cave walls, the practice has continued to be prominent in today’s society. Engraving is more for personalisation and bringing some sentimentality to a material nowadays, but remains a prominent feature of society.
Ancient tradition
The origins of engraving is somewhat unknown and there are various differing accounts of where and when the dawn of this technique may have started. Whether it be 60,000 years ago in South Africa on Ostrich shells or a chiseled shell in Indonesia found from hundreds of thousands of years ago, it is clear that engraving has long been a part of human culture.
As human societies have developed, engraving has moved with the times seeing jewelry engraving around 3000 years ago and glass vessels engraved in the First Century AD. Engraving, historically, goes beyond the cosmetic and somewhat limited nature of material goods which are about nowadays.
In days gone by engraving was a way of documenting life and providing a clear account of what life would have actually been like. Engraving is essential for the documentation of societies long in the past.
Making an impression/ a skilled art
Whilst it would start with bones and ivory. Engraving slowly became a hugely important player in metalwork. Greeks would appropriate the skill and use it for their lavish and eccentric designs which would normalise the use of engravings beyond the use of documentation.
The combination of this cultural shift and the implementation of engraving on metalwork would see the practice shift from a more personal and individual basis to a more commercial widespread one. It would be the 14th and 15th century which would see engraving become a huge thing with Goldsmiths and printworks encoroporating the practice, before its introduction into art. Before the likes of television and cameras, engraving would be used by artists for their work. The use of metal would see the materials stand the test of time better and allow for a much more accessible insight into the past. The use of engraving meant books could be printed faster and art could be achieved easier.
Engraving plays an underrated role in the advancement of modern society. The effect it had on people was huge and provided a basis for the common man to implement some effect on society.
Modern Day
Engraving has well and truly stood the test of time and this ancient practice is still widely used in today’s society and with real importance. Banks use engraving for the production of bank notes. People around the world use services from the likes of The Engraving People to create signs and intricate details on materials using modern machines and lasers for even further refinement of the process with master engraves producing microscopic details which are near impossible to replicate. The advancement of technology generally has aided the advancement of engraving. Nowadays it is unusual to see a hand engraver. The machine and automation of the service has allowed greater ease.
Whilst the artistic individualism of engraving is dwindling the current climate, it still existed and rightfully so. Engraving is largely, now, a commercial game for personalization of material such as nameplates, cups and headstones. Whilst it seems almost normal in the modern day and it is hard to imagine a world without engraving, it’s important to trace its history to know exactly how and why engraving has made it to the stage it currently is.
Conclusion
Whilst there is of course more to engraving than this small synopsis has offered, we have tried to cover a brief 101 history of the ancient practice to offer a bit of context to this amazing craft.
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