Know All About Russian Silver And Enamel By Anita Satin Choudhary At Isnare.com Ezine Articles

Russia has a rich and compelling history in the production of some of the world's finest works of art and crafts. There aren't too many Russian crafts as impressive as the work the nation has done with Silver and Enamel.

Faberge used a system of layering enamel to form an egg shape, and then encrusted it with precious gem stones and metals, such as silver.

Russian enamel uses a copper plate, known as a 'finift', as its base. Silver was often used to surround intricate enamel designs, complementing the delicate work with its expensive look.

One Russian town, Rostov, is world famous for its production of enamel and silver pieces.

There were a great many silversmiths operating during the Czarist era of Russian history - the most well known of which must be Peter Carl Faberge, who crafted his intricate and world famous eggs during the late 18th Century. Faberge used a system of layering enamel to form an egg shape, and then encrusted it with precious gem stones and metals, such as silver.

The magnificent work of Faberge was what stole most of the attention during Russia's Czarist era; however the numerous other silversmith firms were working just as hard to craft some of the most intricate designs the world has ever seen.

Russian silver and enamel is renowned for its use in the creation of sought after items such as (the most obvious first) Faberge eggs, spoons, bowls, bracelets, beakers and many more. Russian silversmiths would use a technique known as filigree to create the delicate designs on items such as bracelets. This method entails using very thin wires of the precious metal (in this case, silver) to intertwine with others and create highly detailed patterning on jewellery and other ornamental pieces.

Russian enamel uses a copper plate, known as a 'finift', as its base. Layers of enamel powder are then placed onto the copper base, compressed and fired. This is repeated an appropriate number of times before the craftsman will inset various precious stones or gems, depending on the design. Silver was often used to surround intricate enamel designs, complementing the delicate work with its expensive look.

One Russian town, Rostov, is world famous for its production of enamel and silver pieces. For two centuries the craftsmen of the town have been crafting miniatures and other ornamental pieces, many of which have become very collectible to those in the antiques trade. Rostov enamels have a theme running throughout their range - the celebration and display of pride in both their town and country.

Many works of art have been created in Rostov, such as portraits and landscapes - all in the traditional enamel medium. These masterpieces were often modeled after the work of Western European and Russian artists. Silver is frequently used as a surround for these beautiful works of art.

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