Ca. 1930-40 FILIGREE BUTTERFLY BROOCH pin, sterling silver. Exquisitely artisan hand crafted, antique wearable order art. Transformation talisman.

DESCRIPTION:
ca 1930-40: Collectible antique artisan hand crafted real 'old school' filigree dimensional butterfly brooch. Real filigree is an exacting silver working technique, rather then just a lacy look mistakenly called 'filigree', and is done by soldering tiny silver wires into a pattern of spirals, whorls, and twists...very delicate work. Look closely at the pics...the detailed silver work is so amazing. This is a masterfully done, collectible example of hand done filigree. Recognizable quality antique collectible, wearable art. Looks light and delicate, and it is, but it's been around for all these years and is in beautiful condition...sturdy and made to be worn. A powerful symbol, butterfly symbolism is very profound. From closed in a cocoon to beautiful and free, butterflies symbolize coming out of difficulty and soaring free....metamorphosis, transformation. They are beautiful, ethereal, delicate but durable, creatures of the air...

***MORE INFO BELOW DESCRIPTION.

WEIGHT:
9 grams

SIZE / MEASUREMENTS:
2 inches x 1 3/4 inches.

MARKINGS / HALLMARKS:
Stamped '925' for sterling silver.

MATERIALS:
Sterling silver

CONDITION:
Beautiful vintage condition with only minor indications of prior use and the light surface burnish on the metal expected in a piece of this age. I clean vintage pieces by gently washing with dish soap (vintage patina is good, vintage dirt and germs are bad!) Then I usually give a quick surface buff with a silver cleaning cloth to bring up the contrast, leaving the natural patina of age in the details to enhance its beauty.

GIFT BOX INCLUDED, ready to give or just to enjoy!

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MORE ABOUT FILIGREE:
The ancient jewelry making technique of filigree has its roots in Mesopotamia, where it was used by craftsmen as far back as 3,000 BC. The name itself is derived from the Latin words for thread, filum, and grain, granum, with the latter referring to the tiny beads that were often used in filigree jewelry.

One of the most fascinating jewelry-making techniques still in use today, filigree involves twisting thin metal threads into intricate lace-like patterns. The fine wire pieces are then soldered together to create a larger piece, with or without gemstone accents. In ancient times, another technique called granulation, whereby small beads of metal were soldered onto the wirework, was often used together with filigree.

There are numerous examples of historic filigree jewels in museums all over the world, including a number of earrings dating back to Etruscan times on display at the British Museum. The Victoria and Albert Museum also houses several pieces made by Byzantine goldsmiths who sometimes set small precious stones in between the knots and curves of the filigree patterns.

In the 1820s and 1830s, colored gemstones were often used in combination with elaborate filigree, featuring spirals known as cannetille and granules that were referred to as graniti. By employing this openwork jewelry making technique, craftsmen could create bulky and opulent gold jewelry using the minimum of precious metal.

In the Edwardian era, jewelry was characterized by a delicate elegance and airiness that reflected the carefree and optimistic attitudes of the times. Antique engagement rings from this era often have complex filigree order detailing in platinum, together with diamonds in old-mine or Old-European cuts.

Filigree was also extremely popular during the Art Deco era of the 1920s and 1930s. Arguably, some of the finest examples of filigree stem from this period when delicate openwork patterns were incorporated not only into rings, but also bracelets and pendant necklaces.

Crafting filigree jewelry is a painstaking and delicate process requiring many hours spent shaping the fine metal wire into the characteristically intricate curls and twists. However, even today, many designers continue to use this jewelry making technique to great effect.