Modernisation of extruded wire filigree manufacturing to contemporary requirements

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Extruded wire filigree is a traditional art form and craft skill originating arguably in Southwest China, Iran, or Northern India and first introduced to Europe (Italy) in the 14th centruy via the 'silk road'. Although still prized in antique markets, extruded wire filigree is generally considered uncompetitive against jewellery made using more modern methods. Filigree has been modernised once, by the Ottoman empire, introducing a gravity-fed lost-wax casting process to create reproductions without the labour intensive steps of wire extrusion, coiling, and braising found in traditional filigree. However, the intricacy, economy of material, and design range of traditional filigree still surpasses any established casting process. This project is to investigate and develop improvements and substitutes to the traditional extrusion and braising processes in filigree, not ruling out modern developments in casting processes that could reproduce certain forms or complete pieces without the loss of fidelity that is expected with established casting methods.