repoussé

[ ruh-poo-sey ]

adjective

1. (of a design) raised in relief by hammering on the reverse side.
2. ornamented or made in this kind of raised work.

noun

1. the art or process of producing repoussé designs.

repoussé

/ rəˈpuːseɪ /

adjective

1. raised in relief, as a design on a thin piece of metal hammered through from the underside
2. decorated with such designs

noun

1. a design or surface made in this way
2. the technique of hammering designs in this way

Word History and Origins

Origin of repoussé¹

1850–55; < French, past participle of repousser to push back; re-, push

Word History and Origins

Origin of repoussé¹

C19: from French, from repousser to push back, from re- + pousser to push

Example Sentences

Look for the rectangular punch bowl encrusted with repoussé roses, survivor of a 64-piece set made by Graham for the 1893 World’s Columbian Exposition in Chicago — one of only three “Rose” pieces that the dealer Mark McHugh has seen in his 30 years in the business — and for an 1877 Tiffany ice bowl decorated with removable walruses.

From New York Times

Once we reached the building, I tugged him to the side, away from the gateway with its concentric arches and ornate repousse facade.

From Literature

The city goldsmiths have long been celebrated as virtuosos of engraving, fretwork, niello inlay, Damascene inlay, repoussé and other highly specialized techniques.

From New York Times

Among Mr. Vaggi’s antiques are honeycomb-cut gold pendants with diamonds, repoussé silver tureens and the micro-mosaics that were the original Grand Tour travel souvenirs.

From New York Times

If celebrity men don’t make brooches’ resurgence clear enough, consider the surreally sized, seven-and-a-half-inch repoussé gilded brass Schiaparelli dove, bearing an olive branch, that Lady Gaga wore at the presidential inauguration in January.

From New York Times