After annealing the acanthus leaves it is time to get the lead out. Since the annealing process softened the brass I re-worked everything except the lobe tip of the leaf with the ball/straight peen hammer over a lead block.

Part of the reason for the refining process is to smooth the surface and remove irregularities from the previous sinking operations. Since lead is softer than brass, the outside surface of the leaf will not be marred as it is work hardened. The veins are also re-worked by using the straight peen and the V-shaped bottom swage with chisels.

Something I noticed during this refining operation, is that the leaf tends to close up and fall into it's intended natural form as it is being worked from the outside in. Notice the lobes closing in the bottom left image.