An old Victorian engraving of two graining ‘machines’ or rollers. It is from a book of 1890. Graining is the practice of imitating wood grain using paints and glazes on a non-wood surface, or on a cheap wood surface, to give it the appearance of high quality, expensive timber. Graining was very common in the 19th century. Graining can be accomplished using either simple rags, feathers, combs, specialist brushes or (as here) rollers. Here the rollers have a woodgrain pattern embedded in their rubber cylinders – the roller on the left is intended to imitate the grain of mahogany.

An old Victorian engraving of two graining ‘machines’ or rollers. It is from a book of 1890. Graining is the practice of imitating wood grain using paints and glazes on a non-wood surface, or on a cheap wood surface, to give it the appearance of high quality, expensive timber. Graining was very common in the 19th century. Graining can be accomplished using either simple rags, feathers, combs, specialist brushes or (as here) rollers. Here the rollers have a woodgrain pattern embedded in their rubber cylinders – the roller on the left is intended to imitate the grain of mahogany. Stock Photo
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Image details

Contributor:

M&N / Alamy Stock Photo

Image ID:

2K0JA50

File size:

31.3 MB (2.2 MB Compressed download)

Releases:

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Dimensions:

3780 x 2893 px | 32 x 24.5 cm | 12.6 x 9.6 inches | 300dpi

Date taken:

1890

Location:

UK

More information:

This image could have imperfections as it’s either historical or reportage.

An old Victorian engraving of two graining ‘machines’ or rollers. It is from a book of 1890. Graining is the practice of imitating wood grain using paints and glazes on a non-wood surface, or on a cheap wood surface, to give it the appearance of high quality, expensive timber. Graining was very common in the 19th century. Graining can be accomplished using either simple rags, feathers, combs, specialist brushes or (as here) rollers. The technique is sometimes called scumbling and the specialised thick brush used for graining is often called a mottler. Here the rollers have a woodgrain pattern embedded in their rubber cylinders – the roller on the left is intended to imitate the grain of mahogany.