Chinese Export Gold Gilt 925 Silver Filigree Enamel of Nature Artwork Attached to an Expertly Carved Wood Base.

The Nature Scene is beautifully modeled after a serene lily pad setting decorated with a shiny cloisonne enamel hummingbird, frog and dragonfly visiting the flower surrounded by finely worked silver filigree details. This amazing Chinese artist cleverly mounts his masterpiece on a carved wood stand depicting swirls of water in a pond. Under the filigree tail of the hummingbird is Hallmarked 925 Silver.

ABOUT History Of Filigree Inlay Art:

Filigree inlay art originated in the Warring States Period (475-221 BC). At the time, it was called “Jin Yin Cuo,” which involved painting gold and silver on the surface of bronze artworks. With the development of techniques for making thin gold and silver thread, which occurred around the Tang (618-907) and Song (960-1279) dynasties, filigree inlay art advanced in maturity.

The Ming dynasty (1368-1644) was the golden age of filigree inlay art. Many masterpieces were created and inherited. Following the Ming dynasty, filigree inlay art reached its peak in the Qing dynasty (1644-1911). Qing was the last dynasty in China’s history. However, it was ruled by the minority group “Man” for over 260 years.

The art form developed by inheriting essential elements from the previous dynasties and adding new elements over time. Many filigree inlay pieces seen in a private art museum run by the premium jade jewelry brand, Zhaoyi, are replicas of masterpieces from Ming and Qing dynasties.

For a long time, filigree inlay artwork was controlled and appreciated only by royal families and the imperial class. Ordinary people were able to afford some products, but were prohibited from owning pieces bearing certain themes like the dragon and phoenix. Only the royal class could own the highest-quality materials and designs.

Social catastrophe at the end of the Qing dynasty meant the imperial family could no longer hold its position and afford luxury items. Many master goldsmiths escaped the palace to open their own businesses. For a while, many small-scale filigree inlay art studios and workshops were concentrated in southern Beijing, which once had been an area full of all kinds of craftspeople.

By the end of the 20th century, after the many social upheavals China had experienced over the previous 150 years, filigree inlay art was one of many cultural heritages that were fading away. Very few master goldsmiths were still able to work in this art form, and young people rarely devoted themselves to the diligence and hard work required.