What is the difference between scrollwork and filigree?

Filigree is made from twisted fine wire soldered into intricate open patterns, often including spiral and curling forms. Scrollwork is a broader decorative style based on the scroll motif and can appear in engraved, cast or repoussé work as well as in wire construction. All filigree can be scroll-like but not all scrollwork is filigree.

Which jewellery periods are known for scrollwork?

Scrollwork appears across many eras but is particularly associated with Renaissance, Baroque and Victorian jewellery, where elaborate surface decoration was valued. Celtic jewellery is famous for its spiralling scroll forms, and the Art Nouveau period used flowing organic scrolls extensively.

How is scrollwork created on metal jewellery?

Jewellers create scrollwork through several techniques depending on the effect wanted. Engraving incises the design directly into the metal surface. Repousse pushes the design up from behind. Casting reproduces sculpted scrollwork in quantity, and filigree builds the scroll forms from fine twisted wire.

What Is Scrollwork in Jewellery? Spiral Metalwork

#01
Filigree
Filigree is a technique in which fine threads or beads of precious metal wire are twisted, bent and soldered into delicate, lace-like openwork patterns.
#02
Repoussé
Repoussé is the technique of creating a raised, three-dimensional relief design on sheet metal by working from the reverse side, pushing and hammering the metal outward with punches and mallets so the design stands proud of the front surface.
#03
Engraving
Engraving is the technique of cutting lines, letters, patterns or images directly into the surface of metal using sharp steel tools called gravers, or, increasingly, a laser.
#04
Celtic Jewellery
Celtic jewellery draws on the visual language of the ancient Celtic peoples of Ireland, Scotland, Wales, Brittany and other parts of western Europe, using motifs like interlaced knotwork, spirals, triskeles and the ringed Celtic cross.
#05
Art Nouveau
Art Nouveau jewellery emerged in the 1890s and continued through to around 1910, marking the transition from the heavier decorative styles of the Victorian era toward something more fluid and expressive.

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between scrollwork and filigree?: Filigree is made from twisted fine wire soldered into intricate open patterns, often including spiral and curling forms. Scrollwork is a broader decorative style based on the scroll motif and can appear in engraved, cast or repoussé work as well as in wire construction. All filigree can be scroll-like but not all scrollwork is filigree.
Which jewellery periods are known for scrollwork?: Scrollwork appears across many eras but is particularly associated with Renaissance, Baroque and Victorian jewellery, where elaborate surface decoration was valued. Celtic jewellery is famous for its spiralling scroll forms, and the Art Nouveau period used flowing organic scrolls extensively.
How is scrollwork created on metal jewellery?: Jewellers create scrollwork through several techniques depending on the effect wanted. Engraving incises the design directly into the metal surface. Repousse pushes the design up from behind. Casting reproduces sculpted scrollwork in quantity, and filigree builds the scroll forms from fine twisted wire.

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Related terms

Filigree

Repoussé

Engraving

Celtic Jewellery

Art Nouveau

Frequently asked questions

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