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Engraving

Engraving is the practice of transferring a drawing or design onto a hard surface which is then inked and used to make prints. Wood, metal and stone are used.

Originally used to produce multiple copies of other forms of art, for example paintings, today it is considered an art-form of its own. The earliest engraving seems to have originated in China in the 2nd century, not long after the invention of paper. Like paper, the invention moved from East to West via the islamic countries, becoming known in Europe in the 10th century, but not appearing as a popular medium until the end of the 14th century..