Oaxacan filigree
Fine threads of silver or gold, coiled and soldered by hand into a pattern. A jeweler’s craft that Nepidon brought to the writing instrument.
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The thread
Silver and gold are chosen for their elasticity: the metal has to bend without breaking.
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The spiral
With pliers, the artisan coils the thread into spirals. Oaxacan patterns have names: pavos, calaveras, chinitos.
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The solder
The spirals are gathered on a plaster bed and soldered with a flame, one by one.
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The form
The flat plate is curved into the body of the pen. We developed the process that bends it without damaging it.
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The finish
Rhodium, black rhodium or 14K gold plating, assembly and an individual serial number.
Filigree and engraving are not the same thing.
Filigree
It is the structure of the piece: silver threads coiled and soldered by hand. Every body is unique.
Engraving
It is the personalization: a name, initials or a date, in a handwritten or classic typeface, on the pen and its case.
The time a piece takes
Depending on the design, a piece takes from one day to several weeks. Le Philanthrope needs more than 100 hours of handwork. That is why editions are limited.
Oaxacan hands
This work is entrusted only to Oaxacan artisans.
See the pieces