Filigree Sterling Silver Jewelry Through History Part II

Filigree Sterling Silver Jewelry History Part II- 1000industrial development and mass production.
A.D. To 1900 A.D.Cheaper materials were utilized, in addition to gold
Definitionn. Filigree /filligree/:From the Latin 'Filum',and semi-precious gemstones, including base-metal
meaning 'Thread', and 'Granum' meaning 'Seed'.alloys, paste to make imitation gemstones, steel
Filigree is the art of curling, twisting and plaitingand cast iron. With these cheaper methods of
fine pliable threads of precious metals, and unitingproduction jewelry techniques changed their
them at their points of contact by means of goldemphasis from the artisans to less skilled
or Silver solder.mechanical processes of stamping and cutting out
Introductionpatterns and settings. It was during the end of
Perfected over millennia, incorporating the ancientthe 19th Century that Peter Carl Faberge, jeweler
techniques and styles of vanished civilizations,to the Russian Tsars, reintroduced an exacting
Filigree is without a doubt one of the oldest andcraftsmanship into jewelry design. Similar to the
most beautiful art forms known to man.artisan jewelers of the Renaissance, Faberge
Unlike the mass of jewelry produced todayspecialized in the contrast of colors and materials,
Filigree jewelry is totally handcrafted, calling forand his most original designs are those that
hours of concentration on the part of its maker.combine gold Filigree, and colored gems such as
The knowledge behind Filigree's meticulousalexandrite named after the Tsar Alexander on
creation, passed down from generation tohis birthday in 1830.
generation, remains a closely guarded secret keptThe 19th Century And Filigree
in the hands of lapidary masters stretching fromBy the late 19th Century, a counter-culture
the islands of the Mediterranean sea to themovement in the decorative arts challenged the
shores of East India.austerity of Victorian society. Art Nouveau burst
The Celts And Filigreeupon Europe and America with a romantic glory
After a long absence, Filigree reestablished itself inof swirling dainty lines. Figures of girls with dreamy
northern Europe with the Saxons, Britons andexpressions and swirling hair, dragonflies and
Celts who were from an early period extremelypeacocks with iridescent colors and stylized floral
skilful in several kinds of jewelry metalwork. Inthemes dominated jewelry. Filigree, enameling and
fact, the Celtic jewelry perfected between thePliqué A Jour, the pulling of enamel through
10th and 11th Centuries in Ireland displays morewire to give it a stained glass look, were used and
thought in its design and intricate patterns thanestablished jewelers like Louis Comfort Tiffany
any other period in Filigree's history. Twoalthough continuing to use diamonds and pearls
examples are the infamous Tara brooch, a ringreintroduced classical gemstones like opals and
fastener with a pin for piercing and holding clothingmoonstones.
in place, and the stunning two-handled chaliceThe Edwardian Epoch & Filigree
called the Ardagh cup. Irish Filigree is designed inAfter the death of Queen Victoria her son,
such a way that one thread can be tracedEdward VII, became king of England. In
through the entirety of a network of complexcomparison to the austerity of Victorian England
coils and knots, the intricate threads appear andEdward's reign marked a joyous return to
disappear without breaking continuity or balance,elegance in styling, clothing and jewelry. Edwardian
finishing by being incorporated into the head or tailjewelry coincided with the Art Nouveau
of a serpent or monster.movement, and the delicate Filigree work that
The Renaissance & Filigreecould now be fashioned echoed the laces and
The 15th and 16th Centuries marked thefeathers worn by Edwardian ladies of the period.
dispersion of the somber Middle Ages, and theDiamonds and pearls were worn in profusion,
rise of the Italian 'Renaissance', meaning 'Rebirth',either alone or with colored gemstones. Because
expressing for the first time the values of theof the metal strength of platinum, yellow gold was
modern world. Artists and artisans of this periodreplaced as the metal of choice for jewelry. Silver
found their inspiration in the revival of ancientand white gold, were used for the first time in
Greece and Rome, and jewelry became onceFiligree and it was everywhere from brooches,
again an integral part of dress. Solemn religiousbracelets, earrings, tiaras and beautiful delicate and
subjects were gradually replaced by classical andlacy diamond rings, and with king Edwards love of
naturalistic themes and Filigree and enameledelegance men's jewelry came into its own.
jewelry combined with faceted gemstones wereFiligree Sterling Silver Jewelry Through History
for the first time united in sculptured pendants,Part I - 3000 B.C. To 400 A.D.
brooches, necklaces and chains.Copyright © SilverShake Corporation. All
The 17th To 18th Centuries And FiligreeRights Reserved.
However, in the 17th Century due to refinedWritten for SilverShake, an online retailer of
methods of faceting gems the emphasis movedfiligree jewelry and sterling silver jewelry at
once more from precious metals to gemstones,wholesale prices. Purchase today and get silver
and the diamond became the preferred item forjewelry worth up to $60...Free!
jewelry. The 18th Century brought with it