Filigree (from Lat. Filum - thread and granum - corn) - the oldest kind of artistic metal. In Russia filigree called the Old Slavonic word "filigree", which translates as "twist". Indeed, the filigree technique reduces torsional two wires and a metal rope tight formation. The materials used as precious gold, silver, platinum and non-precious copper, brass, nickel silver. Scania products are often decorated with beading jewelry - pripaevaem tiny balls.
The main styles of filigree - relief and openwork. The heyday of this kind of jewelry came in the XV-XVI centuries. They were engaged exclusively in monasteries and royal workshops. Starting from the XVII century the demand for filigree products began to grow rapidly, and began to appear independent craftsmen specializing in filigree. Finally, since the XIX century filigree work were mass-produced fabrics.