Exploration of the Filigree Technique in Metalsmithing for Design and Fabrication of Photorealistic Bust

Mohammed Kwaku Baidoo, Cyril Etornam Adala, Charles Adu-Boachie (2024)

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 is the technique of filigree which is predominately used in jewellery making. Metalsmiths are sometimes restricted by objects that can be created using the filigree technique, due to its elaborate and yet delicate nature of the technique, which only allows for the creation of big size objects by using of a lesser amount of metal. Hence, the study aimed at exploring a new materials and methods for the preservation of the filigree techniques by determining whether the limitations in producing artefacts other than jewellery-scaled design irrespective of the sizes and the design could be overcome. This was achieved 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, metalsmiths and jewellers stand the chance of producing any artefacts with filigree techniques if they adopt proper workshop practices with right materials, notwithstanding the design and size of the artwork to be produced. This means that thinking of a filigree technique for a specific work has to be broaden based on the principles of the design in terms of its function, aesthetics, cost and support not forgetting its practicality, operability, protection as well as safety. It is hereby suggested that further studies should be carried out to ascertain if the filigree technique can be combined with other techniques such as granulation, etching, casting as well as chasing and Repoussé techniques for the creation of metal artefacts other than jewellery and its related items.