The Art of Brass Rubbing

Visitors to Britain are often amazed at the monumental brasses dating from as early as 1300 that can be found in the churches. A complete catalog listing the brasses and the churches where they can be found has been published by the Victoria and Albert museum in London and can be purchased from most book stores. Surprisingly, there are more than 4,000 from which to choose.

The brasses are engraved sheets that are set in stone slabs. They were laid over tombs as memorials to represent and commemorate the dead who lie beneath - knights, merchants, ladies, priests and even children. These wonderful brasses and their accompanying inscriptions gives us a fascinating record of history and fashion.

It was back in the 12^th century that it became popular to commemorate the dead with sculptured figures and engraved stone. Brass work was then used to decorate the engraved stone memorials which eventually led to complete brass plates being used.

Brass rubbing is easy and fun. The materials are relatively cheap to purchase and the results are decorative, unusual and interesting. But before embarking on your brass rubbing be sure to obtain permission from the vicar or verger of the Church. Today most Churches charge a small fee (often only a few pence or maybe a $1) depending on the condition and importance of the brass.

Take special care not to damage the brass or Church and always show respect for any worshippers in the Church.

If you want to achieve really spectacular rubbings use a gold or silver heel both on black paper or on colored book binders linen. Brown or white heel gives good rubbings on gold or dark papers respectively and children's colored crayons are great to pick out details of heraldry or dress.

Once finished small rubbings can be framed and larger rubbings can be hung using black plastic poster hangers.

The fine art of brass rubbing

Tools

Small soft brush

Cardboard tubes

Materials

Architects' white detail paper in several widths

Black heel ball

Crayons (thick and thin)

Plastic eraser

Masking tape

1...Clean away all dust with a soft brush or duster. Study the brass and memorize or make a note of all its parts. Once the paper is down, it cannot be lifted until the rubbing is finished.

2. Lay the paper squarely over the brass, with 1 ft overlap top and bottom. Stick the paper to the stone surround or 'matrix' with pieces of masking tape. Never use ordinary clear adhesive tape as it damages both the paper and the stone.

3. Feel around the edges of the brass with the fingers and press down the paper to mark outlines.

4. Take a piece of heel ball firmly in one hand. Grip it across the palm with all fingers, not like a pencil.

5. Hold the paper steady with the other hand and start rubbing a few inches in from one edge. Make short hard strokes across the paper.

6. Take care not to go over the edges. Work until the whole brass is covered, making strokes in all directions so that individual strokes do not show and the image is good and black. Make sure that every detail has been well rubbed. Always use a duster to flick away loose pieces of heel ball.

Take care not to tear the paper around protruding rivets or damaged brass.

7. Take off the tape, roll up the rubbing and put it into a cardboard tube.

8. Lay the rubbing on a smooth wooden table and touch in any bad spots and blemishes with crayon.

9. Use a plastic eraser to remove any light heel ball marks beyond the edges of the brass. Heavy mistakes are difficult to shift although it is possible to use white spirit on a clean rag but the paper is generally marked. If necessary, white poster paint can be used on bad mistakes.

10. If there is a tear, smooth out the paper and stick it together on the back with clear adhesive tape.

There are many brass rubbing centers around Britain too which will also supply all the materials you will require.

Source:
The Handbook of Country Crafts, by Barbara Hargreaves, published for the Automobile association