FiligranaPT.pt
Does Portuguese filigree resemble oriental patterns?
This is true!
Filigree appeared 3000 BC in Mesopotamia. Ancient objects were discovered in Syria and Iraq.
This is why Portuguese filigree is so reminiscent of oriental patterns.
But how did filigree get to Europe?
Why is filigree considered a national tradition of Portugal?
Some sources say that filigree came to Portugal with traders or sailors from the Middle East.
Other sources say that eastern jewelers, fleeing high taxes, ended up on the Iberian Peninsula, where there are significant reserves of gold, silver, copper and tin, and thus brought their technology to Europe.
This very well could have happened.
It is known that in the 8th century AD, filigree was developed and produced in Portugal.
In the 18th century, Portuguese goldsmithing achieved its splendor by combining technical skill with stylistic influences from the Baroque and Rococo.
Since that time, filigree has become an independent branch of jewelry.
This is true!
Filigree appeared 3000 BC in Mesopotamia. Ancient objects were discovered in Syria and Iraq.
This is why Portuguese filigree is so reminiscent of oriental patterns.
But how did filigree get to Europe?
Why is filigree considered a national tradition of Portugal?
Some sources say that filigree came to Portugal with traders or sailors from the Middle East.
Other sources say that eastern jewelers, fleeing high taxes, ended up on the Iberian Peninsula, where there are significant reserves of gold, silver, copper and tin, and thus brought their technology to Europe.
This very well could have happened.
It is known that in the 8th century AD, filigree was developed and produced in Portugal.
In the 18th century, Portuguese goldsmithing achieved its splendor by combining technical skill with stylistic influences from the Baroque and Rococo.
Since that time, filigree has become an independent branch of jewelry.
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