or DAMASKING, the art or operation of beautifying iron, steel, &c. by making incisions therein, and filling them up with gold or silver wire; chiefly used for adorning sword-blades, guards and grips, locks of pistols, &c.

Damaskening partakes of the mosaic, of engraving, and of carving: like the mosaic, it has inlaid work; like engraving, it cuts the metal, representing divers figures; and, as in chasing, gold and silver is wrought in relievo. There are two ways of damasking: the one, which is the finest, is when the metal is cut deep with proper instruments, and inlaid with gold and silver wire: the other is superficial only.