mottlern.
/ˈmɒtl̩ə/, /ˈmɒtlə/, U.S. /ˈmɑdl̩ər/, /ˈmɑtlər/ 1. A worker who gives a mottled appearance to something (as soap, pottery, etc.). Now rare.
ΘΚΠ
society > occupation and work > worker > workers according to type of work > manual or industrial worker > producer > soap-maker > [noun] > involved in specific process
mottler1839
1839 A. Ure Dict. Arts 1143 As soon as the mottler has broken the paste,..he ceases to push his rake from right to left.
1884 A. Watt Art of Soap-making v. 48 A marbled appearance is obtained, the beauty of which depends greatly upon the skilful manipulation of the ‘mottler’ or workman who superintends this part of the operation.
1927 Dict. Occupational Terms (Ministry of Labour) 33 Mottler (pottery), gives a mottled appearance to ware, by applying glazes thereto with a sponge.
1927 Dict. Occupational Terms (Ministry of Labour) 216 Button mottler; dyer, colours or stains sheet celluloid or erinoid used in button making.
2. A brush for applying mottling, used esp. by house painters and decorators.
ΘΚΠ
society > occupation and work > equipment > decorating equipment > [noun] > brushes
badger softener1840
mottler1862
overgrainer1862
badger1863
sweep-brush1901
1862 Internat. Exhib.: Illustr. Catal. Industr. Dept. II. xxv. §4582 Graining Tools, comprising badger softeners, motlers, overgrainers in sable and hogs' hair, fitches, sable and camel-hair pencils, stippling brushes.
1875 E. A. Davidson House-painting 106 Lay the colour over the whole panel, and work it level with a hog~hair mottler—a flat tool mounted in tin.
1961 J. H. Goodier Dict. Painting & Decorating 186 Mottler, a type of brush used in graining for the purpose of mottling.
1993 Collins Compl. DIY Man. (new ed.) i. 81/2 Lightly drag the tip of the mottler or comb along the line of the rail or panel, leaving faint streaks in the glaze.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, March 2003; most recently modified version published online June 2022).
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n.1839