Filigran Split

Keeping the art of filigree alive. "In a cramped back room lit by a single fluorescent bulb inside a tiny wooden-framed shop on Bosanska street, an ancient passageway just to the right of the west gate of Diocletian's palace where it opens to the Pjaca, Viktor Civljak sits at his workbench making magic with his fingers. Surrounded by the simple tools of his trade, this 72 year old gentle master artisan has been creating silver filigree for 59 years and is now the last filigree master in the city." Filigree is a combination of art and craft, and hand-made filigree is unfortunately quite rare these days. Made by a small family-owned jewellery shop in Split, Croatia, whose tradition spans 4 generations, this jewellery and accessories are a product of hours of detailed work and creativity. It takes approximately 8-9 hours to make a pair of earrings so no wonder many jewellers started casting it instead of doing it by hand. Each item is shaped, cut, welded, torched, bent, moulded and polished by hand, and therefore unique. Traditional silver and golden filigree has been around Dalmatian region since medieval times. There is a legend that says, when Turks invaded the Dalmatian region, filigree was one of the things they just couldn't copy to take back to their land.