Articles » Maltese Filigree: A short history

Filigree is a delicate variety of traditional jewellery that is made from thin strands of silver or gold that are twisted into different forms, shapes and designs and made into exquisitely original jewellery pieces.

Filigree as a jewellery-making technique was born in the times of the ancient Egyptians, Greeks and Etruscans and slowly the tradition spread to different parts of the world.

Maltese filigree owes its remotest origins to the ancient Phoenicians who moved around the Mediterranean, spreading their culture, traditions and skills throughout. In fact filigree is still worked today in various other Mediterranean countries like Italy, and Greece, and even in Portugal. Today one can find impressive filigree in very different parts of the world, but each region has its own patterns, designs and type of workmanship that differs considerably from the rest.

That is what makes Maltese filigree so unique. Traditional, handmade and still retaining unique aspects that make it stridently different from all other types of filigree around the Mediterranean, Maltese filigree is highly appreciated by jewellery connoisseurs.

Filigree as we know it today on Malta probably comes from an evolved Spanish/Italian tradition that local filigree workers manipulated over time to become something unique to the Maltese Islands. In fact Maltese filigree is renowned world-over, not least for its particular designs and also for the Maltese cross which is very often present both in jewellery items and in other artefacts made of filigree.

Island Filigree offers discerning jewellery aficionados a range of traditional Maltese filigree in all its vibrant beauty. This website provides a cross-section of some of the most beautiful filigree jewellery made by local jewellery designers and artisans. Also included are other small highly collectable filigree artefacts.