What is Filigree?

Portuguese Filigree jewelry, which is nowadays an important part of the Portuguese jewelery, is a technique and an art form that, through a delicate union of wires and metal balls, creates beautiful patterns in the manufacture of Jewelery.

This handmade technique requires a long apprenticeship of many years as well as a lot of art.

It exists for several centuries and had a great development in Portugal in the 19th century, especially in the northern region of Portugal. It is widely spoken like the Filigree of Viana because it is often used in the traditional costumes of that region, but today it is produced mainly in the municipalities of Póvoa do Lanhoso and Gondomar.

The filigree pieces are made and molded by hand, from gold threads or silver threads, with a great manual precision and using various tools and also heat.

It is much appreciated in Portugal and around the world for the delicacy and beauty of its pieces and had a high moment at the Expo Dubai2020 world exhibition where it was in great prominence in the Portugal pavilion.

International recognition came mainly from the Coração de Viana, for having been used by Sharon Stone, at the time one of the top stars of world cinema.

Today there are already many other pieces that form part of the national heritage, namely Filigree Earrings, in many beautiful shapes, Filigree Bracelets, also with various shapes, Filigree Pendants, Necklaces, and also Rings.

For the male public, the Filigree Cufflinks are much appreciated, once they bring a touch of class to any ceremony.

Today, there is already a new trend of younger designers with a more contemporary Filigree, but the best-known pieces are the Earrings Heart of Viana (coração de viana), and the Pendants, the Pendants Heart of Viana (coração de viana) the Viana Beads (contas de viana) Necklaces, the Queen Earrings (brincos à Rainha) and the Arrecadas, that represent very well the souvenirs of Portugal.