METAL WORK. A term usually applied to artistic work in metal. The metals generally used for this purpose are gold, silver. copper, iron, and lead, and the principal methods of treatment employed are casting and reponss. (For a description of these processes, see Fouxn NG and 1:E1'ousst.) By reason of its scarcity and value, gold lies been generally used in the fine arts fur small objects of luxury and adornment, although the Greeks frequently used it, in con nection with ivory, for statues of great sanctity. (See Om.nslurol's WORK ; JEWELRY.) The use of silver is also thus limited, though to a less extent, Although copper in a pure state was used for ecclesiastical ornaments from the twelfth to the fifteenth century, its chief use has always been as an alloy with tin in the form of bronze. In this form it is the metal most used in the tine arts, being more 'used than any other ma terial except marble, both in statuary and relief. This is due to the fact that its high fluidity when melted. its slight contraction upon cooling, and its hardness render it peculiarly adapted for cast ing. (See BamczE.) Brass, all alloy of copper and zinc, was also used during the Middle Ages for sepulchral slabs. the image being engraved upon the brass plate. (See BRASSES. SEPUL cHRAL.) liv reason of its great contraction upon cooling, iron is less adapted to casting; but its extreme malleability and adhesive qualities when heated render it easy to forge under the stroke of the hammer. From the thirteenth century to
the eighteenth it was extensively used with high artistic success for screens, gates, and the like, though the attempted revival in our day can not be pronounced equally successful. (See luox AND STEEL,) Steel is also extensively used in the beautiful inlay work of Oriental nations. See DAMASKEENING ; I NLAYING ; INDIAN ART. BIBLIOGRAPHY. The authorities on the technique and history of the special kinds of metal work will be found under the titles cited above. Among the special manuals on the subject, which have been written at different periods, are; The treat ise of the Monk Theophilus, "Diversann Actium Schedula" (twelfth century), published in Duel lensehriften Kunstgeschiehte, VII. (Vienna, 1877) ; Cellini, Trattati dell' oreficeria c della seultura, ed. Milanesi (Florence, 1850) ; Vasari, Tre arti del discfino, pt. ii., ed. (ib., 1882) ; Gamier, Manuel du eiseleur (Paris, 1859) ; C'odron, Travail des in Oulu. dans Ics atOiers de construction Inecanique (lb.. 1901) ; Baas, Der Metallarbeiter (Landeshut. Schlesien. 1902) ; Leximi der Metaltechnik (Vienna, 1900).