FILIGREE SPOONS

Filigree silver work is one of the oldest styles of silverworking and was practiced in almost every ancient culture. Ornaments made in this style have been found among the ancient Egyptians, Phoenicians, Greeks, Etruscans and Romans.  In addition some fantastic work was also produced by India and China.

Basically filigree is a very delicate lace effect style of metal working which is made with silver or gold wiring twisted in tiny threads along with tiny beads which are all soldered together in artistic motifs.


large filigree spoons
Three examples of large filigree serving spoons.
Many pieces of filigree do not have marks and it is often difficult to figure out their origin.
The first one is unmarked. The other two have a mark I do not recognize and look like they might be Chinese style characters

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Detail photographs showing the intricate workmanship

filigree spoons
Tea sized filigree spoons
The left spoon is a Navajo symbol , but I don't know if this was made by a Navajo or Mexican silversmith (many Navajo's apprenticed with Mexican silversmiths)
Some of the spoons are unmarked and a couple are USA manufacture. The USA filigrees were probably made by either Solomon Spitz of Santa Fe, New Mexico or
Hickox Jewelers (The Mexican Filigree Jewelers) of New Mexico.

filigree silver spoon
Detail pictures of filigree spoon

filigree spoons
Filigree spoons that are demi or slightly larger

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Detail pictures of filigree spoons

filigree spoons
Nice grouping of filigree spoons

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A different style of filigree spoon --very light weight

filigree ladle peru spoon silver
A nice ladle from Peru featuring a llama at the top. The bowl is acid etched with a Peruvian scene

german nuremburg filigree spoon
Nice 800  silver spoon from Nuremburg, Germany.  The detail filigree work is very nice

click to see Mexican filigree spoons

click to see a nice filigree fork set and a nice filigree set of spoons from Peru

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