Essential Oil andamp; Hydrosol Distillation Kit @ Hen of the Woods Artisan Acres, NS, Canada
A rivet is a small metal pin or bolt used to fasten two or more pieces of metal together. It consists of a cylindrical shaft with a head on one end, while the other end is deformed to create a second head after the rivet is inserted through pre-drilled holes in the materials to be joined. This deformation is typically achieved by hammering or using a rivet gun, securing the materials firmly in place.
The use of rivets dates back to ancient times, with evidence of their application in Egyptian metalworking. The ancient Egyptians were skilled in metalworking, producing items of copper, bronze, and occasionally precious metals with a level of craftsmanship that has rarely been surpassed. Egyptian smiths created a wide range of objects, from tools and weapons to decorative items and statuary. For example, copper and bronze were extensively used to make hand mirrors, pitchers, and basins. These items were often found in tombs, indicating their importance in daily and ritual life.
Copper pitchers and basins for handwashing were crafted by hammering single sheets of copper into shape. The spouts of these pitchers were typically cast separately in molds and then attached to the hammered bodies using copper rivets. Decorative metalwork, including statues, was also created by hammering metal plates and joining them with rivets. An extraordinary example of this craftsmanship is the life-size statue of Pharaoh Pepi I, displayed in the Egyptian Museum in Cairo, which showcases the use of copper rivets in ancient art.