Posted 13 years ago
Esther110
(134 items)
This is a silver damascene bracelet brought back by my dad from his tour of duty in Vietnam.
It's beautiful, and going to be repaired by a jeweler as soon as I can afford it... :P
Another of Abuela Leo's bracelets | ||
| Bracelets498 of 535 |  |  |
Is it not a Siam silver bracelet?
Yes, Agram, it could very well be. My father visited Thailand while there, so it is very possible.
Thank you! :)
It looks, as I can see it because the picture is not so very clear, Siam silver because Damascene comes from Toledo, Spain so th first option is more understandable since your father traveled in the far East.
Agram, damascene is the technique, and can come from many places. This one in particular comes from Thailand (or nearby). If you look at my recent posts, I have Toledo gold, or Toledo damascene jewelry also.
This is definitely not Toledan.
From wiki:
Damascening is the art of inlaying different metals into one another—typically, gold or silver into a darkly oxidized steel background—to produce intricate patterns similar to niello. The English term comes from a perceived resemblance to the rich tapestry patterns of damask silk.
The technique has a long history in Japan, where it was used to decorate katana fittings, particularly tsuba. Known as zougan in Japanese, it has developed its own subset of terms to describe the particular patterns, although "shippou-zougan" is an enamelling technique which most Westerners would consider closer to champlevé.
Damascened-inlay jewelry, especially of Japanese origin, is sometimes referred to as shakudo from the use of that alloy as the dark background.
The technique of niello is also famously attested in prehistoric Greece. The earliest occurrence of damascening in the Aegean, from the Shaft Graves of Mycenae, dates to the latest Middle Bronze Age/Middle Helladic IIIB period (dagger Nu-304). Ultimately of Near Eastern provenance, the technique of inlaying silver/gold was adapted to suit Aegean taste and style.
Cities that are known for a rich history in Damascening where the technique is still practiced are Toledo, Spain, and Kyoto, Japan.
Thanks Esther,
As a lot of times on this sites I learned a lot in this case about Damascening juwelry.
I agree Agram! This site is the best!!! :)
Thanks for lovin' an' likin' SpunkysMom, vetraio50 and vintagemad!!!