Engine turned engraving

Engine turning is the mechanical engraving of an intricate and repetitive pattern onto an underlying surface, usually precious metal, using an engine turning machine.

Ornamental turning, mostly on soft materials such as wood and ivory, dates back to the 16th century but engine turning grew as a specialism distinct from this during the 18th century. Engine turning makes use of a fixed tool as distinct from ornamental turning machines which cut patterns using a rotating tool. See woodturning for more information on ornamental turning.

Engine turning can be used on its own or underneath translucent enamels on items such as cufflinks, watch dials and cases, pendants, boxes etc. Examples of famous works of Guilloché are the engravings on Faberge eggs.

There are two main types of engine turning each used depending on the shape of the item being decorated and the type of pattern required. Rotary turning uses a rose engine to form patterns in the round. Linear turning using a straight line engine forms patterns that are based on a linear motion. Both use a hand cranked machine operated at slow speed with a fixed cutting tool applied to the work by hand pressure.

Allied crafts

• Ornamental turning: most commonly used on wood, but can use other materials such as bone or metal using a rose engine and/or an ornamental turning lathe.
• Printing: on bank notes, currency or certificates, etc., to protect against forged copies.
• Silversmithing
• Watchmakling

• Training issues: There are very few craftspeople still practicing engine turning at a professional level. Even fewer are willing or able to transfer their knowledge to the next generation.
• Training issues: There are very few apprentices or trainees entering the craft. The Birmingham Jewellery School has a couple of machines and someone comes in to show show the students what can be done.
• Market issues: Engine turning is extremely time consuming and is therefore very expensive for consumers. It is very difficult to make a living from engine turning – most people do it part time. It is hard to encourage people into a craft where it is difficult to make money.
  
• Methods of working: Historically, engine turning was done in a trade-work context, with engine turners doing the work for other people. Today, there is very little demand for turning for others and the trade work is disappearing, so craftspeople either need to find new ways of turning alongside other things, or become designer-makers who make the whole item. Furthermore, engine turning is horribly unforgiving which can put people off, especially on gold and silver trade-work – it’s very easy to ruin a piece after many hours of other people’s work.
  
• Public awareness: There is little public awareness of engine turning.
• Changes in manufacturing: stamping and some CNC manufacturing techniques can produce a poor approximation of engine turning at a lower cost.
• Shortage of equipment: The manufacture of engine turning machines came to an almost complete halt in the mid-twentieth century. Many machines were melted down for the war effort, and so those machines which survive today tend to be quite old. There are very few spare parts available, so people need engineering skills in order to make what the parts they need. Rose and straight line engines are incredibly rare machines and only a few working examples exist in the UK. This prevents anyone from learning the craft along with the fact that these patterns can be reproduced by modern CNC and laser machines.

• Contemporary British Silversmiths
• Goldsmiths’ Centre
• The Goldsmiths’ Company
• Society of Ornamental Turners

Apprenticeships

There is no specific apprenticeship for Engine Turning, but there is an Apprenticeship in Jewellery, silversmithing, and allied trades professional (level 3)

The following organisations run apprenticeship schemes or can provide you with further information on this route:

• The Goldsmiths’ Company Apprenticeship Scheme
• UCAS – Apprenticeships & Traineeships
• British Academy of Jewellery
• City & Guilds

Degrees and postgraduate study 

There are a number of universities across the UK offering degree and postgraduate courses in jewellery and silversmithing. The Goldsmiths Centre provide a list of universities that offer these courses.

Birmingham City University have access to engine turning facilities and students are given an introduction to the craft:

• • Birmingham City University School of Jewellery

Engine turning is a specialist skill used mainly within silversmithing and horology.

There are a few companies that still carry out engine turning for watch cases, pens, cuff links etc. and some independent makers carrying out specialist work.

• Engine turning – a blog about engine turning and guilloche engraving machines, their restoration and use
• Matthews, Martin, Engine Turning 1680-1980
• Shevlin, Calina, Guilloché: A History & Practical Manual 

Our thanks go to our 2025 reviewers:

• Garrick Watchmakers
• Chris Manning, Silver Hand Studios
• Secretary of the Society of Ornamental Turners

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