Filigree inlaid metal art（花丝镶嵌：huāsī xiānɡqiàn） is one of the eight traditional arts and crafts of Beijing. Use of the filigree-inlay process began during the Spring and Autumn Period (770-476BC), and the process flourished during the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644). The process was first documented during the Tang Dynasty (618-907). As most filigree-inlaid items are made from gold, they tend to be precious. For centuries, only members of China’s royal family could enjoy works of filigree inlaid art.

 It is made from gold, silver or other materials. The craftsmen create metal art works from thin strips of gold or silver through piling and weaving. Then the gold and silver strips are hammered into already crafted metal ware. The metal ware is then decorated with carved patterns and inlaid with precious materials such as gems, pearls and woven patterns.

Crafts from Royal Court                  

During the Spring and Autumn Period (770-476 BC), metal ware began to use the techniques involved in filigree inlays. Filigree- inlaid metal art flourished in the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) and made great progress during the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911).

 In 1958, a gold crown was discovered at Ding Mausoleum, which had 13 royal tombs from the Ming Dynasty. The crown was made of 518 extremely thin gold threads, each about 0.2 centimeter in diameter. Two dragons, each playing with a pearl, were carved on the crown.

“Huasi Xiangqian,” or filigree inlay, was the technology used to make the crown. Many works of filigree-inlaid art were given as tributes to the imperial court.

Over the time, filigree inlay has developed into a valued and cherished folk art in China.

More than one hundred filigree workshops existed in Beijing in 1980s. Unfortunately, the opening of the gold markets in the 1990s became a nightmare for many filigree workshops. Only a few workshops specializing in hand made filigree inlaid works survived.

Beijing and Chengdu, a city in southwestern China, are both well-known for their exquisite filigree-inlaid art. But they boast of different characteristics. Beijing filigree-inlaid works are famous for its perfect weaving and piling craftsmanship. Beijing filigreed-inlaid craftworks have received high accolades from around the world and were awarded the Excellent Design Award at a Southeastern Asian Jewelry Design Contest. Chengdu filigree inlaid metal ware includes mainly silver filigree works in the form of vases, compotes and jewelry.