A design is raised on the front side of the metal by hammering from the back surface. The front side is supported with a soft material such as pitch during the repoussé stage, so that large areas of metal compared with the thickness of the sheet was deformed (unlike chasing).
Related terms: Chasing, Tracer.

A method of embossing a metal sheet by punching and hammering a design into it from the back of the sheet in order to create design in relief in the front.