0068-Switzerland-Sugiez-Tinsmith-Ornamental-Ironwork-Russian-Orthodox-Church-Renovation-Dome-Copper-Tin-Soldering-201.JPG


Switzerland. Canton Fribourg. Sugiez. A tinsmith from the ornamental ironwork company «Ferblanterie d’ornements». The man works on the restoration of an onion dome from the Orthodox Russian Church (Cathédrale de l'Exaltation de la Sainte Croix) of Geneva. The worker uses a torch for tin soldering (60% tin, 40 % lead). Soldering is a process in which two or more items (usually metal) are joined together by melting and putting a filler metal (solder) into the joint, the filler metal having a lower melting point than the adjoining metal. Tinning is a surface treatment operation which consists in applying a layer of tin to a copper part. In architecture and decorative art, ornament is a decoration used to embellish parts of a building or object. The ornamental ironwork is a know-how and craft of art perpetuating tradition of roofs and facades ornaments for historical monuments. The realization of pieces of ironworks ornaments in copper requires a perfect mastery of secular gestures by reproducing worn out parts and allowing their restoration and conservation of architectural heritage. An onion dome is a dome whose shape resembles an onion. Such domes are often larger in diameter than the drum upon which they sit, and their height usually exceeds their width. These bulbous structures taper smoothly to a point. 23.05.2016 © 2016 Didier Ruef
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