Filigree
3-days workshop with Yannis Tsalapatis
April 15-17 2022
Duration: 18 hours
Filigree is the jewelry technique in which the structure and form of a piece of jewelry are shaped exclusively by twisted metal wires. These wires – usually made of gold, pure silver or copper – are affixed to a flat metal surface in various artistic motifs or are soldered together in an open arrangement that resembles lace.
The technique was being used in Mesopotamia by 3000 B.C. to be adapted later by the ancient Egyptians, Phoenicians, Etruscans and Greeks. It flourished throughout all the areas of the Mediterranean, before getting all over the world. It was widely applied in the major Greek jewelry hubs of the modern era, offering great examples of traditional jewelry.
In this seminar, we will flatten our wires and make basic shapes of filigree jewelry, twist our wires and use them to fill these shapes and silver solder them together with powder we will have made in the lab. We will then create the basic affixed decorative motifs, as well as a bezel for cabochons. In the end, we will improvise and use the filigree technique on our own designs.
Participants must have a basic knowledge on silversmithing.
Instructor: Yannis Tsalapatis | http://tsalapatis.com/
Workshop duration: 18 hours | April 15-17 2022
Schedule: Friday – Sunday 11:00-14:00 & 15:00-18:00
Number of participants: 6-8 people
Participation cost: 180 € + VAT 24%