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<p>[QUOTE="Any Jewelry, post: 4396484, member: 2844"]I think the standard Toledo back we see now was only introduced later. Maybe ca 1960? Before the standard backs it seems to have been a mixed bag.</p><p><br /></p><p>As an example, the back on the one I posted above is different again, a very basic type with a pin attached to the steel back of the damascene. It once had gilding on the back of the steel plate, remains of which are still visible around the hinge and the clasp.</p><p>As you can see it has had a hard life. I've had to sand down thick blotches of rust and am still in the process of making it look more presentable.</p><p><br /></p><p>[ATTACH=full]371067[/ATTACH]</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p>I saw damascene makers at work in Toledo, and they always cross-hatched the steel so it would hold the gold and silver. If you simply hammer a gold sheet on steel, it won't hold, you need some texture. So yes, it is intentional, but it is the technique rather than the esthetic. Through a loupe it is also visible on my brooch, and on other Toledo pieces I have.</p><p>If a damascened steel piece isn't as blackened as usual, or there is loss of blackening, the cross hatching can become more shiny and visible through rubbing.[/QUOTE]</p><p><br /></p>
[QUOTE="Any Jewelry, post: 4396484, member: 2844"]I think the standard Toledo back we see now was only introduced later. Maybe ca 1960? Before the standard backs it seems to have been a mixed bag. As an example, the back on the one I posted above is different again, a very basic type with a pin attached to the steel back of the damascene. It once had gilding on the back of the steel plate, remains of which are still visible around the hinge and the clasp. As you can see it has had a hard life. I've had to sand down thick blotches of rust and am still in the process of making it look more presentable. [ATTACH=full]371067[/ATTACH] I saw damascene makers at work in Toledo, and they always cross-hatched the steel so it would hold the gold and silver. If you simply hammer a gold sheet on steel, it won't hold, you need some texture. So yes, it is intentional, but it is the technique rather than the esthetic. Through a loupe it is also visible on my brooch, and on other Toledo pieces I have. If a damascened steel piece isn't as blackened as usual, or there is loss of blackening, the cross hatching can become more shiny and visible through rubbing.[/QUOTE]
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