Hearts and Flowers Tin Punch

In this punched tin design, three flowers sprout from two concentric hearts. A single dotted row borders the rectangular sheet, which also features four smaller hearts in each corner. Commonly used in the American colonies, punched tin served both practical and aesthetic functions. The patterned holes punched into a tin insert on a pie safe door, for example, could provide both air flow and exterior decoration. Artist Ira Blount (1918-2020) achieves uniformity with evenly-spaced punches in his revival of the craft.

After moving to Washington, DC following World War II, Ira Blount mastered dozens of artisanal crafts. His love for crafting, learning, and community engagement would endure over the course of his long life and career.