The Portuguese Filigree has already become one of the national symbols!
This ancient technique was often practiced in small workshops of a family nature. The technique was passed down from generation to generation, until it won the hearts of the Portuguese.
Production process of filigree parts

1
Drawing
It all starts with drawing. This is the starting point for the creation of a Portuguese filigree piece. The drawing is usually done on a sheet of paper and represents, in detail, the shape and details of the piece.
2
Casting
To obtain the material with the right properties it is necessary to fuse the various metals that make up the alloy in a crucible. This applies to both gold and silver. Then, the contents of the crucible is leaked to the rilheira.


3
Sawdust on plate
The mold that will shape the Portuguese filigree piece is drawn on paper. Then it is depressed to the plate, which is cut according to the mold.
4
Pull the wire
To obtain the strand of the thickness of a hair, the metal is leaked by the openings of a perfilador. The wire is then pulled by hand, with the aid of a tenacious, through the openings.


5
Twist the wire
In the light of the Portuguese filigree yarn becoming more resistant, two strands are joined together through twisting.
6
Create the structure
The structure is built around the mold with the aid of tweezers. It is this that forms and rigidity the filigree piece.


7
Filling
At this stage, the empty spaces of the structure are filled with filigree wire.
8
Apply the weld
To join the different elements it is necessary to weld the Portuguese filigree piece. For this, it is necessary to apply uniformly the weld, binding element.


9
Weld
Welding a piece of Portuguese filigree requires concentration and precision, since it is a delicate element. In the end, there is a uniform and rigid connection of the different elements that make up the piece.
10
Shape


11
Final finish
Finally, the Portuguese filigree piece receives an acid bath and is subsequently sanded with a metal brush. Then the piece is clean and dry. It is this process that gives the final brightness.

