Posted 11 years ago
asiabarb
(5 items)
I have been working with 18 women for 20 years to preserve their dying art form of sterling silver filigree with fired enamel and gemstones finished in 24kt gold. I travel to their village in northern China and take my design drawings and gems to them and they make my pieces for me. It is done in the Mongolian tradition since the days of Genghis Khan. National Geographic and the Smithsonian have supported my work for 11 years by putting my pieces in their stores. Unfortunately their are only these few women left, and with access to more modern careers possible the younger women are not interested in continuing the tradition. All the women will be retiring this coming year and the art will officially be done. I have many pieces in my personal collection I would love to share with you all since I know you appreciate passionately the handiwork, enameling and history. The earrings have garnet, chrysocolla and amethyst in them. The sea horses are pin/pendants with amethyst, garnet and blue topaz eyes. The bracelet is about 1" wide with large Afghanistan lapis stones. The pendant is about 3" long with blue topaz, amazonite, & teal topaz on glass beads.
Wow... This is amazing... Looking forward to seeing more of your work.
Congratulations, what a wonderful iniciative. This is world heritage.
Thanks! I'm really glad you think it's as amazing as I think the work is! To watch them do it in person is even more incredible.