THE TECHNIQUES
GARRIDO's creations require eight to twenty weeks of hand-crafting by expert artisans. Seven artists, each of whom is a master of various traditional silversmithing techniques,work together to achieve a perfect finished product. Silversmith creates objectsaccording to traditions of hand-crafting precious metal; naturally, the metals usedtomake the pieces are of the utmost quality. However, the creation’s true value lies in theconsummate expertise, the many talented craftsmen, and the extreme attention to detailinvolved in its production. Discover the techniques used at GARRIDO workshop when crafting a masterpiece.
MODELING
In decorative arts, and specifically in our sector, modeling creation is understood as the process of creating a three-dimensional representation of a real object from a visual representation or image (the model). It involves manual craftsmanship, typically using wax or cardboard, to craft a three-dimensional image of the intended design. Therefore, the prototype is a partial or simplified representation of reality that captures relevant aspects and from which predictive conclusions are sought to be drawn. It is modeled to gain a better understanding of a process or observations that allow us to modify or maintain the initial design concept before commencing production.
HAMMERING & PLANISHING
Every GARRIDO piece begins as a simple metal sheet. Craftsmen forge, bend, andbow the sheet using hammers or mallets to give it the desired shape. In order toachieve round-shaped forms, craftsmen carefully forge a metal sheet from the inside outby using a hammer to achieve the desired smooth effect. Alternatively, craftsmen applya cold-bending technique for works with well-defined angles and straight lines. Primarily,the metal sheet is scored in places where the edges are desired and then punched witha fine triangular-ended tool. The craftsmen also use a traditional manually drivenbending brake to produce round and cylindrical shapes. It is created by feeding metalsheets through the brake and bowing the metal to the desired diameter.
BLAZING
Blazing is a joining process where a filler metal, normally iron wire is the preferred fillermaterial, is melted and drawn between the two parts of metal that need to be joined. The filler metal reacts with the workpieces and solidifies in the capillary,forming astrong joint. In order to ensure smooth and unnoticeable joins, all parts are cleaned priorto brazing, removing dust and grease from the surfaces. A hole must be drilled in thepieces when blazing hollow objects together to avoid an explosion.
COLD BENDING
In works with structures composed of straight and well-defined lines forming angles, it is advisable to employ a technique specific to silverwork known as cold bending. In such cases, once the piece has been drawn the sheet of silver is cut as desired, the lines that correspond to the edges are marked, the metal flattened and the design impressed with a fine triangular-ended steel punch with wooden handle, and a set square or ruler. The punch must be used emphatically, for if the edges were marked incorrectly, the resulting piece would be uneven. The same procedure is followed on the remaining sides and edges, the last fo which will be sodered with wire to make it match the others.
CHASING
The scrupulous task of chasers consists of decorating the exterior of the metal piecewithout reducing any material from the surface. To do so, the craftsman uses varioustechniques to emboss the surface with hammers and small steel chisels called “chasingtools.” The desired pattern or texture is worked on the surface with light blows from asmall chisel called a ‘tracer’, especially created for this purpose. The chaser may alsoemboss a texture from the top to appear dented with negative relief.
FILING
A correct finish of the metals requires a good filing. This must be carried out with a movement of the arm, not of the wrist, in a forward direction while holding on firmly to the piece and removing the residues or surplus areas by means of fine small files. All sorts of files can be used, in different shapes and sizes (measuring from 5 to 10 inches in lenght), but those most frequently employed are semi-circular, flat, fine and coarse, together, with rasps of round, square and triangular shapes.
POLISHING
This last stage ensures the perfect finish of the piece through the elimination of impurities and imperfections left by the hammer blows, joint and file marks. In order to achieve the high gloss mirror surface - the finish GARRIDO workshop is particularly acclaimed for, craftsmen use brushes, buffing sheets and soft cloths made of cotton and linen - fine materials that cause no scratching. The craftsman carries out the polishing steps choosing to soften material and tools for each successive step in order to achieve a high gloss finish and to avoid spoiling the thin layer of plating.