PIERCED WORK

in metalwork, perforations created for decorative or functional effect or both; the French term for such work is ajour. Both hand-operated and mechanical tools such as saws, drills, chisels, and punches are used. The principal present-day exponents of this ancient technique are perhaps Asiatic Indian craftsmen. In European metalworkapart from its functional and decorative use on handles, lids, covers, finials, and the likepierced work is most often associated with such articles as locks and keys, iron and steel caskets, and guns, as well as with jewelry and other small objects. In the 18th century, however, it enjoyed a period of great popularity, when certain pieces of domestic silverfor example, cake baskets, sugar basins, and coastersconsisted almost entirely of intricate pierced-work patterns. A new tool was developed in order to pierce Sheffield plate in this manner. See also opus interassile.