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Repousse is a metal working technique of hammering and shaping metal. Finished works are often flat and highly decorative with figures, floral motifs and symbolic offerings as commonly found on torana examples (throne backs). Amulet boxes are also commonly made using this technique.

Figurative subjects and architectural representations such as temples, stupas and mandalas can sometimes be found completed in the round rather than flat single sided artworks. These pieces are also deceptively light weight.

There can be confusion when identifying objects as repousse because in many cases a figurative subject might be created mostly from hammered metal but the hands, head, feet or hand attributes could be cast from metal and assembled onto the repousse body to create the final work. The same is true for architectural representations where some pieces are repousse and others are cast.