Tracings of Metalwork 1875 - 1885

Curator: Here we have "Tracings of Metalwork," a pen and ink drawing made between 1875 and 1885 by Richardson Ellson & Co., currently residing at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Editor: Well, my immediate thought is, “Wow, so intricate!” It reminds me a little of those Victorian mourning brooches, all swirls and delicate dark lines, even if it’s only a sketch. Curator: It's Asian-inspired decorative art. Think of the motifs used in sword guards or lacquerware. Each carefully planned flourish suggests a deeper significance within Japanese aesthetics. Editor: Do you think these shapes evoke protection, given they're metalwork tracings? Perhaps the scrollwork isn't just decorative but representative of layered defenses? Curator: Quite possibly. I see the curves also suggestive of water motifs – constant, flowing resilience. The precision needed for metalwork feels reflected in the detailed rendering here. There’s a real dedication to craft shining through. Editor: The material of metal adds such weight. It has history built into its very substance. And you're right, those wave-like shapes – there's a sense of constant motion contained within that framework. But isn't it amazing how they captured this substance, with ink and paper? Curator: Absolutely, and to think these are just “tracings.” I wonder what the finished pieces looked like. The Met often has these preparatory studies, glimpses into the creative process of earlier times. Editor: The unfinished quality adds charm, almost like overhearing a whispered secret. I suppose in a way, it is that—a direct trace from the artist's eye. Curator: I appreciate the way these seemingly simple materials give us direct connection to historical craftsmanship. It transcends time. Editor: Right, suddenly metal feels symbolic of durability, this sketch becomes a memento—it’s holding an entire artistic tradition in those fine ink lines.