16 - Copper dome

Copper dome

Early stage of "raising" dome.

Concentric rings to guide hammer blows.

Copper being shaped in wooded former

Two halves of copper sphere.

Planishing the dome

checking the two hemispheres

Trimming the edges of the dome.

Although using the simplest of tools, this is a complex and time consuming process. The shaping by hand of a flat sheet of metal, using the alternate techniques of annealing and hammering, or “raising”, eventually creates a three dimensional form.

Work is in progress on the other hemisphere, that may then be soldered, or perhaps hinged, to complete the sphere.