Rose Engine Lathe

A rose engine lathe is a specialized geometric lathe whose headstock rocks back and forth and slides along the spindle axis in a pumping motion. Working against a rosette or cam, it cuts intricate flower patterns and other convoluted, symmetrical, multi-lobed geometric designs, the whole family of decorative cutting called guilloche, producing something like a Spirograph pattern worked in metal; this is a distinct technique from engine turning, a cheaper process that makes swirled marks with a rotating abrasive peg or pad. The rose engine lathe played a real part in the history of the postage stamp: the intricate rose-engine patterns behind Britain's first stamps, including the 1840 Penny Black, were chosen because they were difficult to forge, and Karl Faberge later used rose engine work to produce the guilloche enamel patterns on his famous Faberge eggs made for Russian royalty.