Silver Filigree

Silver Filigree is created when twisted threads of silver are soldered on to the surface. For instance, filigree involves kneading, twisting and melding of metals like gold and silver. Further, this delicate kind of metalwork is achieved after long hours of diligent work by committed artisans.

Available at Delhi:- Cottage Emporium, Delhi Emporium, Andhra Pradesh Emporium, Dilli Haat

Shop in Jaipur:- Silver Mountain

Available at Chennai:- Sukra Silver

Shop in Kolkata:- Silver Arts

Available at Mumbai:- Silver House

Available at Bangalore:- Khazana Jewellery

History of Silver Filigree

The proficiency and advancement of the filigree craft is usually associated with Greeks, Egyptians, and Etruscans. It goes back to around 6 BC to 3 BC. In Mesopotamia, filigree workmanship is still evident today. It is in the form of delicately designed ‘Telkari’ jewellery (both in silver and gold).

For instance, archaeologists have found evidence of an advanced filigree technique from Andhra Pradesh, India. The areas are  Peddabunkur, Kotlingala, Dhulikata and Kondapur. This is dating back to 2 BC to 2 AD.

Historians have also noted the influence of foreign art playing into the Indian designs.
The Portuguese for instance, may have influenced the Karimnagar (Telangana) craftsmen with their filigree objects d’ art. The connecting point is the early trade links between these regions. Similarly, ‘Tarakashi’ or the silver filigree work of Cuttack in Orissa is likely to have been influenced by the Indonesian silver art.

Silver Filigree- Process

Artists first draw the matrix of the design on a piece of paper. Later, pure silver wires are placed on the design sheets in accordance with the shapes of the drawings. An exquisite work of trellis is thus achieved by melding gossamer-thin silver filaments onto it.

This meticulous technique involves 300 to 4500 man-hours in order to create a single filigree piece.

Stunning Range of Designs

If you thought filigree is only used to make jewellery like brooches, hairpins, and earrings, you got to know more about this enchanting form of art.

A wide range of beautiful artifacts, home decor pieces and corporate gifts are made using silver filigree. These include decorative birds and animals, silver pens, inscriptions for temples, statues of gods and goddesses, boxes, platters, business card holders, perfume holders and replicas of famous monuments such as Taj Mahal and Konark Temple.