Silver filigree is a style, which may be of two types, ornamental and
decorative. Its preparation process involves pure silver pieces to be melted in order to
make fine silver wires drawn through a wire-drawing machine and then pressed into
different shapes. The smaller articles are directly moulded into various designs. For
larger ones, smaller components are made and pieced together. Here the main ribs are first
fixed, then the interspaces filled in with delicate tendrils or circular pieces, which
gives the article its special character. The distinction comes from the contrast of the
thick ribs, against the fine granular surfaces, bringing out the exquisite artistry of the
design.
The beauty of a silver filigree product lies in faultless setting of
the frame and form, the proficiency with which the corrugated wires and strips are
symmetrically set in, the fineness of the soldering with which small, isolated pieces are
joined together and in appropriate spacing between any two pieces of wire and strips
fastened to the frame. The thread like silver wires are used for making ornaments,
hairpins, eartops, necklaces and other jewellery items and decorative items like boxes,
trays, bowls, spoons, penstands and ashtrays.
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