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The Sculptors Lexicon

Scalpello piatto

A flat-edged chisel used to refine planes, remove tooth-chisel marks, cut edges, and approach the final surface.

Short Definition

A flat cutting chisel used in stone carving for refining planes, edges, details, and surfaces after rougher tools such as the subbia and gradina.

Language Origin

Italian; scalpello from Latin scalpellum

Pronunciation

/skalˈpɛl.lo ˈpjat.to/

Scalpello piatto is a flat-edged stone-carving chisel used after coarser tools to refine planes, sharpen transitions, remove tool marks, and approach the intended surface.

In workshop speech, a non-toothed chisel may also be described informally as a scalpello liscio, literally a ‘smooth’ chisel, in contrast with the toothed gradina. Exact profiles and widths vary according to the work.

Etymology

Scalpello derives from Latin scalpellum, diminutive of scalprum, from scalpere, 'to carve or incise'; piatto means 'flat.'

Sculptor Notes

A critical tool for the clean surfaces and crisp transitions often associated with high-level Italian marble finishing. The flat chisel can clarify a plane but can also destroy a delicate edge if improperly directed. Cross-reference: Gradina; Spigolo vivo; Finitura.

References

https://www.treccani.it/vocabolario/scalpello/ | https://www.treccani.it/enciclopedia/marmo_%28Enciclopedia-Italiana%29/