A Brief Talk on Filigree Inlay Craft
Filigree inlay, also known as fine goldcraft, is one of the "Eight Imperial Handicrafts of Yanjing"alongside cloisonné, jade carving, ivory carving, carved lacquer, gold-inlaidlacquer, imperial carpets, and Beijing embroidery. In 2008, the craftsmanshipof filigree inlay was included in the national intangible cultural heritagelist. Filigree inlay has been passed down inChina for over 2,000 years and was highly revered by imperial courts. Withfiligree as its "bones" and inlay as its "ornaments," itbecame a symbol of royal luxury."Filigree" refers to the processof drawing pliable, lustrous metals such as gold and silver into wires ofvarying thicknesses, which are then shaped using techniques like pinching,filling, and assembling to create artworks. "Inlay" involves carvingpatterns on gold or silver sheets and setting pearls, gemstones, and otherprecious materials into them, adding the finishing touch to filigree products. Throughout history, artworks crafted usingfiligree inlay were exclusively for imperial use. The craft reached its peakduring the Ming and Qing dynasties, particularly excelling in weaving andstacking techniques. It also frequently incorporated kingfisher feather inlay(diancui) to achieve a resplendent, golden effect.
The entire process of filigree inlay isextremely intricate. First, a base is made to shape the piece. Then, filigreewires are formed using methods like stacking, piling, weaving, and braiding,followed by soldering—all done entirely by hand. Each step is handled by specializedcraftsmen and overseen by master artisans. Creating a single piece requiresimmense effort and time. Filigree inlay integrates cultural elements frommultiple dynasties and ethnic groups, including religion, culture, andaesthetics, forming unique Han craftsmanship and stylistic features.
It stands out in China’s arts and craftscircle with extraordinary aesthetic value. This once-exquisite traditionalcraft, once reserved for imperial palaces, represents the pinnacle of ancientChinese jewelry art. Today, you can also catch glimpses of it in various filmand television dramas... Those engaged in filigree inlaycraftsmanship uphold a steadfast commitment and dedication, ensuring thismillennia-old craft endures and introducing more people to China’s filigreeinlay.
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