Silver Filigree - Karimnagar
Making Process is done with great passion by highly experienced artisan to create fascinating masterpieces. The process involves stages like frame making, designing wires, inserting design into frames, welding and polishing.
The process starts by collecting thin flat silver wires. These wires are then twisted together into zigzag patterns and used to make the frame. Aligning and joining the pieces of silver wires make the basic frame. Then different motif designs are made by twisting silver strands manually using holders and other tool called Podi sravanam locally. These designs are properly aligned in the frame and composed by adding several design motifs. Once the alignment is completed, the filigree frame is welded to join the framework. The product is then heated for bending it into required shape. The finished product is dipped in the diluted sulphur and polished with solution made of Reetha. This process of heating and dipping in the sulphur liquid is done 3 to 4 times to remove the black coat from the design, thus giving it a glittering effect. Polishing is done with brass brush made of small brass strings, which is readily available in the market. Finally, the product is again smoothened and rubbed with a soft cotton cloth.
Since the product is heated and polished repeatedly, silver filigree products attain striking shine and luster, which stays for a longer period. The smaller articles are directly molded into various designs. For larger ones, smaller components are made and pieced together. These threads are then shaped into various designs and patterns. Filigree is thus a combination of different pieces joint together.
