Other Techniques - Pinchbeck

Silver Pinchbeck

Pinchbeck Technique

British watchmaker Christopher Pinchbeck (1670-1732) invented this technique, also known as "false gold." It is an alloy (83% copper and 17% zinc).

Paperweight designs made with the Pinchbeck technique feature painted scenes molded of the alloy and encased in clear glass. They are often mounted on a base of another metal such as pewter or on stone. There are four Pinchbeck weights in the Barker Collection. Three are in the alloy relief and one is of silvered metal. Collection's marbrie features, instead of a floret, a gilded, cast-molded salamander.