Crafting Wonders in Silver Laid With Enamel

admin — Sat, 24 Apr 2010 10:15:38 +0000

Russia has a history of beautiful craft and art work which is known globally. The most versatile and famous of the lot is the Russian silver and enamel work done by the experts for ages and the beautiful tradition is still continued.

There are many silversmiths who specialize specially in silver and enamel while the name of Peter Carl Faberge stands out with the Faberge eggs he crafted for the Tsars before the Russian revolution of 1917. There are many other works of art both related to the Christian religion and the everyday use which were made of silver and inlay work of enamel was also done.

The process of working with this material with enamel inlay is a very old art and there are many methods of working with it. For crafting beautiful objects, vitreous enamel is used which has many excellent features. It is hard, smooth, translucent and assumes bright long lasting colors. Due to its durability and malleability, it was used in pottery and stone objects in the form of beads, inlay work in silver, stone, copper and also extensively used in sculptures and paintings.
However, the objects crafted out of Russian silver and enamel are distinctive due to their workmanship and style of carving.

Usually the style of working of metals with enamel inlay is done in the Champleve style which means ‘raised’ in French. The surface is carved out such that it forms pits in which the molten enamel is fired and leaves the base material exposed.

Another style of crafting the such objects is Cloisonne which means “cell” in French. Thin wires are placed to form cells or divisions where enamel is applied over the material or silver. The inlay is beautiful and brilliantly colourful. Silver and enamel is renowned for creation of items like candy holder, decorative items, spoons, bowls, bracelets, beakers and Faberge eggs.

Filigree is another method of creating artistic designs on bracelets, Judaica and vases. Filigree is a method of entails using thin wires of silver, which are interwined and meshed to form designs and objects. Russian enamel inlay uses copper plates or ‘finift’ for a base. There are layers of enamel powder that are placed on the copper base, then compressed and fired. This is another technique that is commonly used and each time it is repeated, precious gems and inlayed stones are used. The Russian silver is marked 925 standard of purity while intricate enamel designs were used to enhance the beauty of silver.

Unusual Gifts – Silver Laid With Crystals

admin — Tue, 30 Mar 2010 02:43:44 +0000

In the history of Silver and crystal, Russia has always been rich and full of exquisite art work pieces in the limited selections of some very intricate works of art. The Russian silversmiths have a wonderful reputation for designs that are vibrant and breathe taking. The many productions during Russia’s Czarist Era were done by a large amount of Russian silversmiths that had their craftsmanship passed on down through the skilled expertise of a family member or close silversmith mentor.

From the height of the Silver art works and crafts, there are continual styles and creations still remaining out on the market to be purchased in the current world of silver and crystal artworks. Although the incessant number of silversmiths lessoned over time and the era of silversmiths came to an end due to the introduction of the industrial era, there were still several highly talented silver art craftsmen that continued to produce the beauty of silver and crystal art works. The artistic hands on approach to one of kind silver creations were then going into mass productions.

In the many various styles with Russian silver and crystal designs, the uniquely intricate silver pieces of art holds or surrounds the pure beauty of the crystal pieces or art forms. There are items of finely crafted crystal vases, pure crystal jewelry pieces, uniquely designed crystal inkwells, liqueur carafe made of crystal, caviar crystal bowls, crystal glass picture frames, pitchers and jugs of crystal, crystal chandlers and distinct candle holders, and so much more intricately detailed crystal items, all inlaid, held or surrounded with the highest quality of silver.

Several of these exquisite designs were of the circa years during the 1800′s and early 1900′s, but the Russian artists in the present day are still creating silver and crystal items of beauty. Pure crystal inlaid in silver for jewelry of now and the past are cherished timeless heirlooms that make for wonderful pieces to be passed on down the line of family generations.

Weddings are also a way to use Russian silver and crystal for making a lovely wedding and reception to become even more exquisite and unique by adding extra sparkle and elegant flare. There are many styles of crystal and silver center pieces, all carrying astounding elegance, but vary in costs depending on the age of the artwork and the numbers of that particular artwork design put out on the market in the artistic world. It is a matter of research in finding the right wedding pieces for your wedding budget.
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Raising Mom » Russian Silver

Crafting Wonders in Silver Laid With Enamel

Unusual Gifts – Silver Laid With Crystals