What is strapwork in jewellery design?
By Jared James · Last updated 21 May 2026
Definition
Strapwork is a decorative motif made up of interlaced, crossed or folded flat bands that resemble interwoven leather straps or ribbons, forming geometric or flowing patterns. It originated in 16th-century Flemish and Elizabethan Renaissance architecture and ornament, and it became a recurring motif in jewellery, metalwork and embroidery of that period. In jewellery it appears as engraved, chased or repoussé designs on brooches, lockets and pendants, and the style has been revived in Art Nouveau and Arts and Crafts pieces.
Frequently asked questions
- Where does strapwork pattern come from?
- It developed in 16th-century northern Europe, particularly in Flemish and Elizabethan design, where craftspeople used interlaced band patterns to fill decorative fields on furniture, architecture and metalwork. It spread widely through printed pattern books that circulated among craftspeople across Europe.
- Is strapwork used in modern jewellery?
- It appears in jewellery that draws on historic or Celtic inspiration, where interlaced band patterns are a natural fit, and in some architectural fine jewellery pieces. It is a niche decorative vocabulary rather than a mainstream contemporary style.
- What is the difference between strapwork and knotwork?
- Knotwork, particularly Celtic knotwork, uses lines that interlace continuously with no visible ends, creating patterns based on knots and loops. Strapwork uses flat bands with clear ends and surfaces, often folding and crossing in a more architectural, geometric way.
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