A hemisphere filled with a soft base, such as chasers pitch, on which an ornamental “relief” was obtained by the goldsmith by pressing the sheet in appropriate spots, using different types of chasing hammers and punches. After achieving the planned vessel shape, the goldsmith would proceed to embellish its surface. One of the most difficult goldsmithing techniques — but also one which produced some of the most beautiful results — was repoussage, which involved shaping the sculpted ornament through cold-working.