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This mid 15th century engraving by a master referred to as Bileam Master depicts a typical goldsmith workshop. It shows Bishop Eligius, patron saint of goldsmiths, at work. The saint is seen sitting in the middle of his workshop, hammering the cup of a chalice on an anvil. This is one of the basic work techniques of goldsmiths, who were especially adept at beating metal. Two apprentices are seated on the right at a workbench, one stamping metal, the other working on the buckle of a belt. The apprentice on the left in front of the richly adorned furnace is pulling wire through a perforated board.
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