Repoussé is a metalworking technique in which a malleable metal is shaped by hammering from the reverse side to create a design in low relief. The name "repoussé" is derived from the French word "pousser," which means "to push forward." This ancient technique has been used extensively throughout the history of metalworking and achieved widespread popularity in Europe during the 16th, 17th, and 18th centuries
. The process involves decorating metals by raising parts of the design in relief from the back or the inside of the article using hammers and punches. The design and detail can then be added from the front by chasing or engraving. Many metals can be used for repoussé work, including gold, silver, copper, and alloys such as steel, bronze, and pewter. The technique is relatively economical, as it requires only the simplest tools and materials and allows great diversity of expression. Toolmarks are often intentionally left visible in the result
. The word "repoussé" is French and means "pushed up," ultimately from Latin "pulsare," which means "to push"
