Abstract

Curling, twisting and plaiting of fine pliable threads of precious metals and arranging them in a precise pattern after which it is fixed by soldering are the technique of filigree, which is predominately used in jewellery making. Things that are usually produced with this technique appear delicate and complex. In view of this, metal artists are restricted by objects that can be created using the filigree technique. It became widespread, not only due to its elaborate and yet delicate results, but also because it allows for the creation of maximum size objects by consumption of a minimal amount of precious metal. The study aimed at determining whether the confinement of filigree technique to jewellery-scaled design and sizes could be breached, by applying the filigree technique in jewellery making to design and produce a life sized photorealistic bust. The researchers used the studio-based methods under the qualitative research approach. The results of the study contradict the notion that application of filigree technique in metal crafts is confined to jewellery-scaled designs. On the contrary, by selecting the appropriate material and workshop practices, a jeweller or metalcraft artisans will be able to produce any jewellery or artefacts using the filigree technique irrespective of the design and size of the object to be produced.

Key words: Metal craft, jewellery, jewellery making, filigree technique, photorealistic, bust, sculpture.