Jim McCulloch wrote: >But to return to the discussion of carving roman numerals, I found this to >be much harder than decorative motifs or the lines of the dial itself--in >fact it was the hardest engraving skill to acquire. The reason is the very >simplicity of Roman numerals. The slightest deviation from the intended cut >was noticeable, which is not the case with slight mistakes in decorative >lines, or with cursive lettering.
We see exactly the same principle in wrought ironwork i.e. before the era of 'crudely bent and welded mild steel' which has unjustly inherited the term'. Before the days of rolling mills iron began as a rough lump or 'bloom' and had to be hammered out to shape/section while red hot. The blacksmith had the greatest difficulty in producing long straight pieces of round or square bar but small defects were easily incorporated/concealed in elaborate scrollwork so we see a minimum of straight lines in early gates and grilles and a profusion of curves. Curiously, the reverse problem occurs nowadays in that it is difficult to conceal the mechanical uniformity of rolled bars in smith work where delicate changes of section are required. Funny old world! Tony Moss P.S. I share Jim's enthusiasm for the hand engraving although I have no skill in that area myself. There is at least one MASTER hand engraver who is a member of this list. He told me that he makes the occasional (gorgeous) sundial as light relief from more demanding work!
