Output details

The changing demands on the creative process as a consequence of new technology

Research in action conducted by Dr Carey is presented. The subject is the crafting of a one litre gold claret jug made by the leading goldsmith, Martyn Pugh. Conventionally 24ct gold is too soft to manufacture large objects so an unusual 24ct gold and titanium (AuTi) alloy was used. The paper documents the innovative multi disciplinary work involved in producing the jug.

The alloy selected was developed for making coins so processing knowledge was limited to stamping, milling and casting. No workshop manual existed for it. In particular there were knowledge gaps regarding joining and fabrication. Traditional soldering could not be used as the seams would leave highly visible light gold lines against the richer colour of the high carat alloy. An invisible joining solution was required.

Dr Carey carried out extensive literature searches, workshop observations and correspondence and interviews with a wide range of experts. Informed by these the researcher conducted and analysed material processing experiments in laser welding, As a result she was able to define the optimum working window of laser welding parameters for fabrication (laser welding fuses the alloy which maintains the integrity of colour providing an invisible join).

The researcher developed entirely new protocols for achieving this, she deployed laser welding for (i) the central seam (around the maximum circumference of the jug), (ii) welding of sheet and cast components, (iii) disguising of traditional soldered seams through cosmetic laser deposition of AuTi alloy.

At 360 mm high the jug is the largest piece ever made in this alloy and its first application in a craft workshop context. Often fabrication knowledge remains within the confines of an individual workshop; uniquely this paper consolidates and disseminates a practice led inquiry into the craft use of a highly unusual gold alloy.