I was wondering if copper was ever used in the architectural decor of interior spaces of Arts & Crafts homes. I know it was used for items such as lamps and lighting, stove hoods and countertops, but I was thinking more along the lines of chased/repoussed sheet-over-panel in wainscoting.

If anyone has any information on this, your input is appreciated.

Thanks!

I do not recall an instance where copper was used in a wall application. I have seen examples where framed copper plaques were hung on walls. I do not see where it would be inappropriate to use repoussed copper as a freeze or decorative border. Greene and Greene often would carve panels that would be part of the wall.

Thank you, Fred!

The reason I ask is because both my wife and I are artists -- she in batik and watercolour; myself in metals, some wood & leather; and both of us in ceramics.

I would very much like our new house http://forum.arts-crafts.com/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/3086045532/m/5491057272 to include as many restorations and additions in the A&C style as we can create ourselves.

The panels in the dining room wainscoting are faux-grained plywood from the period when the house was built (1912), and some is bulged from humidity and age. We are struggling with the decision to leave it in it's original state, or to replace those panels with something else in keeping with the style.

I'd love to do those panels in copper sheet supported by board, even though anaglyptic or Lincrusta type papers would work just as effectively and authentically, albeit without the patina of copper. I definitely would not want to do anything to degrade the originality of the house, especially regarding interior decorative architecture.

I think you can certainly make the panels without fear of destroying the integrity of the building or design. You might consider mounting the copper onto seperate plywood panels that then could be mounted to the wall. In that way these panels could be removed if future owners or you yourself decided to change the panels for other wall treatment.

Be sure to share with us the finished product.

You can use copper in the wainscoting. In fact it would be a particularly effective method of accentuating this formal wall embellishment.

{no link dropping, see TOS}

Carl -

Here's a photo of some copper panels set in the wainscot at the Hackley House c. 1890 in Muskegon, Michigan. It's more the English Aesthetic style than A&C, but the craftsmanship is superb. (The house is categorized as Queen Anne.) These people were rich as Croesus.

R.

Thanks for those images, Rikki! The panels I'd be replacing are 12" wide, and either 36" or 48" tall.

I was thinking of keeping the chasing/repoussee simpler -- say in a Wright Tree-of-Life style, or with simple geometrics as found in some of the wood ceiling accents in Greene & Greene homes.

While beautiful and an example of exquisite craftsmanship, the coppers in the picture are a little too much for our taste. They do give me some ideas for other projects, though!

Thanks again, Rikki, and to all who have helped - or will help - me with this project!

Here is some copper on the walls of a 1901 home in Spokane.

Lauren

quote:

Originally posted by Rikki:
Carl -

Here's a photo of some copper panels set in the wainscot at the Hackley House c. 1890 in Muskegon, Michigan. It's more the English Aesthetic style than A&C, but the craftsmanship is superb. (The house is categorized as Queen Anne.) These people were rich as Croesus.

R.

Many thanks Rikki, it looks very great and sharp ....


______________________
{no link dropping, thanks}