Brass rubbing was originally a largely British enthusiasm for reproducing onto paper monumental brasses – commemorative brass plaques found in churches, usually originally on the floor, from between the thirteenth and sixteenth centuries.
What are brass rubbings in a church?
Brass rubbings are a method of reproducing, on paper, monumental brasses found across Western Europe. These reproductions are made by taping a large piece of paper across the brass, then rubbing carefully and smoothly with a piece of heelball, a hard wax mixed with lampblack, across the entire brass.
What do you use for brass rubbings?
To rub a brass you will need the following items:
- Paper a roll of strong but not thick paper, which will not yellow with age.
- Wax available in sticks and hand-sized cakes, is best, though other waxes can also be used. ...
- Masking tape available from hardware stores, this is used to secure the paper to the stone. ...
- Scissors.
