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Silver Irish
Filigree Sterling Silver Jewelry History Part II
Definition
n. Filigree /filligree/:From the Latin ‘Filum‘, meaning ‘Thread‘, and ‘Granum‘ meaning ‘Seed‘. Filigree is the art of curling, twisting and plaiting fine pliable threads of precious metals, and uniting them at their points of contact by means of gold or Silver solder.
Introduction
Perfected over millennia, incorporating the ancient techniques and styles of vanished civilizations, Filigree is without a doubt one of the oldest and most beautiful art forms known to man.
Unlike the mass of jewelry produced today Filigree jewelry is totally handcrafted, calling for hours of concentration on the part of its maker. The knowledge behind Filigree’s meticulous creation, passed down from generation to generation, remains a closely guarded secret kept in the hands of lapidary masters stretching from the islands of the Mediterranean sea to the shores of East India.
The Celts And Filigree
After a long absence, Filigree reestablished itself in northern Europe with the Saxons, Britons and Celts who were from an early period extremely skilful in several kinds of jewelry metalwork. In fact, the Celtic jewelry perfected between the 10th and 11th Centuries in Ireland displays more thought in its design and intricate patterns than any other period in Filigree’s history. Two examples are the infamous Tara brooch, a ring fastener with a pin for piercing and holding clothing in place, and the stunning two-handled chalice called the Ardagh cup. Irish Filigree is designed in such a way that one thread can be traced through the entirety of a network of complex coils and knots, the intricate threads appear and disappear without breaking continuity or balance, finishing by being incorporated into the head or tail of a serpent or monster.
The Renaissance & Filigree
The 15th and 16th Centuries marked the dispersion of the somber Middle Ages, and the rise of the Italian ‘Renaissance’, meaning ‘Rebirth’, expressing for the first time the values of the modern world. Artists and artisans of this period found their inspiration in the revival of ancient Greece and Rome, and jewelry became once again an integral part of dress. Solemn religious subjects were gradually replaced by classical and naturalistic themes and Filigree and enameled jewelry combined with faceted gemstones were for the first time united in sculptured pendants, brooches, necklaces and chains.
The 17th To 18th Centuries And Filigree
However, in the 17th Century due to refined methods of faceting gems the emphasis moved once more from precious metals to gemstones, and the diamond became the preferred item for jewelry. The 18th Century brought with it industrial development and mass production. Cheaper materials were utilized, in addition to gold and semi-precious gemstones, including base-metal alloys, paste to make imitation gemstones, steel and cast iron. With these cheaper methods of production jewelry techniques changed their emphasis from the artisans to less skilled mechanical processes of stamping and cutting out patterns and settings. It was during the end of the 19th Century that Peter Carl Faberge, jeweler to the Russian Tsars, reintroduced an exacting craftsmanship into jewelry design. Similar to the artisan jewelers of the Renaissance, Faberge specialized in the contrast of colors and materials, and his most original designs are those that combine gold Filigree, and colored gems such as alexandrite named after the Tsar Alexander on his birthday in 1830.
The 19th Century And Filigree
By the late 19th Century, a counter-culture movement in the decorative arts challenged the austerity of Victorian society. Art Nouveau burst upon Europe and America with a romantic glory of swirling dainty lines. Figures of girls with dreamy expressions and swirling hair, dragonflies and peacocks with iridescent colors and stylized floral themes dominated jewelry. Filigree, enameling and Pliqué A Jour, the pulling of enamel through wire to give it a stained glass look, were used and established jewelers like Louis Comfort Tiffany although continuing to use diamonds and pearls reintroduced classical gemstones like opals and moonstones.
The Edwardian Epoch & Filigree
After the death of Queen Victoria her son, Edward VII, became king of England. In comparison to the austerity of Victorian England Edward’s reign marked a joyous return to elegance in styling, clothing and jewelry. Edwardian jewelry coincided with the Art Nouveau movement, and the delicate Filigree work that could now be fashioned echoed the laces and feathers worn by Edwardian ladies of the period. Diamonds and pearls were worn in profusion, either alone or with colored gemstones. Because of the metal strength of platinum, yellow gold was replaced as the metal of choice for jewelry. Silver and white gold, were used for the first time in Filigree and it was everywhere from brooches, bracelets, earrings, tiaras and beautiful delicate and lacy diamond rings, and with king Edwards love of elegance men’s jewelry came into its own.
Filigree Sterling Silver Jewelry Through History Part I – 3000 B.C. To 400 A.D.
Copyright © SilverShake Corporation. All Rights Reserved.
This article was written for the Silvershake website, an online retailer of sterling silver jewelry at wholesale prices. See 1000Â’s of gemstone silver jewelry items at prices 80% below normal retail prices. Make one purchase per month and receive silver jewelry worth up to $60…Absolutely free, everytime!
Does anyone know what the top Irish silver company’s are for cutlery etc.?
As Ireland is the best for silver products used in a house.
www.newbridgesilverware.com
Irish Fiddle – The Banshee/Silver Spear/Cooleys
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Round Austrian Crystal Colored Tux Studs and Cufflinks $112.50 |
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Cz Cubic Zirconia Bridal Silver IRISH CLOVER Earrings 4 prom bridesmaid 25191s $29.95 |
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Irish Silver Sparkle Shamrocks Tuxedo Vest and Bowtie $125.55 |
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Irish Silver Sparkle Shamrocks Tuxedo Vest and Bowtie $125.55 |
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Irish Silver Sparkle Shamrocks Tuxedo Vest and Bowtie $125.55 |
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Irish Silver Sparkle Shamrocks Tuxedo Vest and Bowtie $125.55 |
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Irish Silver Sparkle Shamrocks Tuxedo Vest and Bowtie $125.55 |
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Godinger Dublin Crystal Set of 12 High Balls $52.50 One of Godinger’s most well-loved patterns, Dublin crystal glassware unites time-honored European craftsmanship and classic Irish style. A member of the larger Shannon collection, this set of 12 crystal highballs features dazzling starburst etchings that are centered low on the straight sides and stretch up to just below the rims and down over the thick base. Hand-crafted of weighty 24 percent lea… |
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Godinger Dublin Crystal Set of 12 Goblets $68.00 One of Godinger’s most well-loved patterns, Dublin crystal glassware unites time-honored European craftsmanship and classic Irish style. A member of the larger Shannon collection, this set of 12 all-purpose goblets features dazzling starburst etchings that are centered low on the tapered bowls and stretch up to just below the rims and down to meet the thick stems. Hand-crafted of weighty 24 percen… |
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Waterford Lismore Iced Beverage, 12-Ounce $58.00 5483180200 Other glasses sold Separately Features: -Beautiful craftsmanship.-Hand wash recommended.-Capacity: 12 oz. Includes: -Only Includes one 12 oz Iced Beverage Glass, all other pieces sold separately. Construction: -Quality construction…. |
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Heritage $9.64 Following the success of their last 4 shows the new Celtic Thunder show Heritage accentuates the musical culture of Ireland. The CD features 12 new recordings including: An Irish Blessing, A Place In The Choir and Whiskey In The Jar. In 2011 March PBS pledge will feature Celtic Thunder’s Heritage airing the program over 1,000 times. In the fall of 2011 Celtic Thunder Heritage will be on tour. Over… |
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The Melody At Night, With You $10.87 This solo recording is a fitting coda for Keith Jarrett’s more restrained, less prolific output in the 1990s. The fitful vamps and long, ruminative improvisations that made Jarrett a solo piano star in the ’70s are here either stillborn or tightly tethered to classic melodies from the likes of Gershwin and Ellington, yet there is not the slightest hint of repression. Instead, Jarrett sprinkles not… |
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Shania Twain – The Platinum Collection $8.44 TWAIN SHANIA THE PLATINUM… |
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The Fighter $9.99 … |
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The Fighter … |
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KAL – Silver Therapy 10 Ppm, 10 ppm, 4 fl oz liquid $9.19 Description: ⢠Contains no artificial ingredients, preservatives or additives ⢠Size: 31.24 g  Liquid Directions: Adults take up to 1 teaspoon, once or twice daily. For internal use, do not exceed 8 weeks of continual usage without a rest period. Store at room temperature and keep out of sunlight. Serving Size… |
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Seacrets Bio-Complex Toner $16.50 Seacrets Bio Complex Toner 4 fl. oz. Silver Spray Bottle Price $16.50 Directions After cleansing, saturate a cotton ball with toner and gently swipe over face and neck. Repeat until cotton ball comes out clean. Follow immediately with serum as it is best to apply serums to toner damp skin. For Normal to Oily Skin. Our Seacrets Bio Complex Line incorporates ocean and marine actives for a youthful c… |