For several years now, it has been with great pleasure that we have accompanied a budding theologian on his very personal journey - although still young - to fulfill a very unusual lifelong dream: as a symbol of his faith and the close connection with his church, he leaves a pectoral - a large pectoral cross - made entirely of gold and precious stones in our studio in the style of the Middle Ages, which should become part of his personal everyday life. A medieval fitting (picture above) is intended to decorate one of the four arms of the cross. Soon his gemstone cross will be complete.
For us, who are now probably at the home stretch of our professional lives, it is particularly exciting and, above all, very gratifying that future generations can apparently also be inspired by a remarkably strong passion for medieval handicrafts, which ours certainly has in no way equal to that lags behind.
Our young customer also already has enormous expertise and extensive detailed knowledge of this topic, which makes communicating with him on an equal level a great pleasure.
Accordingly, he uncompromisingly pursues the realization of every little detail of his sparkling life's dream: the patination of the pearl wire, the design of the arcade frames and the barrel edges, the shape of each individual decorative element - nothing is left to chance. Even when it comes to the gemstones used, there is no deviation from perfection for him: only medieval originals are suitable for this. Truly heavenly!
In the Middle Ages, the art of goldsmithing was a highly respected and valued craft that was particularly important in the churches and stately homes of Europe. Among the numerous techniques that medieval goldsmiths mastered, the work with arcade settings and Filigree out. These techniques were not only a demonstration of craftsmanship, but also an expression of the deeply rooted symbolic and aesthetic values of the society at the time.
Arcade frames: An expression of architectural elegance
Arcade sockets, named after the architectural structure of the Arkade, are artistic settings of gemstones and other valuable materials in jewelry and sacred objects. These frames imitate the shape of arcades, small, arch-shaped structures typical of Romanesque and Gothic architecture. The use of arcade settings in goldsmith's craft reflects the architectural trends of the time and gives the jewelry a structured, rhythmic aesthetic.
An outstanding example of the use of arcade settings can be found in the magnificent reliquaries of the Middle Ages. These precious containers, which often housed the remains of holy persons, were not only religious objects but also works of art of high rank. The arcade settings in these reliquaries emphasized the precious gemstones and gave the object a sacred aura that left the faithful in awe.
Filigree: The art of subtlety
In addition to arcade settings, filigree was another important technique used by medieval goldsmiths to decorate their works. Filigree is a technique in which fine wires made of gold or silver are woven together in intricate patterns. This technique requires extraordinary craftsmanship and patience as the wires are extremely thin and fragile.
Filigree was often used in combination with other techniques to increase the decorative character of jewelry and sacred objects. For example, a goldsmith might surround an arcade setting with delicate ornamentation to enrich the overall look of the piece and give it additional depth and complexity.
Filigree found wide use in various objects including rings, pendants, brooches, and liturgical items such as crosses and chalices. A particularly impressive example of the filigree technique are the Byzantine icon frames, which are decorated with the finest filigree work. These frames not only served as protection for the sacred images, but also as an expression of artistic and spiritual devotion.
Symbolism and meaning
The use of arcaded settings and filigree in medieval goldsmithing was not only a matter of aesthetic taste, but also carried deeper symbolic meanings. Arcade settings, reminiscent of the architecture of churches, could be understood as an expression of the heavenly city, which was symbolically represented by the precious stones and gold. These settings conveyed the idea of divine order and beauty, translated into earthly forms through the art of the goldsmith.
The filigree, with its delicate and complex patterns, could be interpreted as a symbol of the delicacy and fragility of human life and the wonderful creation of God. The patience and precision required to create filigree pieces reflected the devotion and faith that characterized life in the Middle Ages.
Conclusion
Through their use of arcade settings and filigree, medieval goldsmiths created unparalleled works of art that are still admired today. These techniques represent not only the high standards of craftsmanship of the time, but also the deep-rooted cultural and spiritual values of the Middle Ages. The combination of architectural grace and fine craftsmanship in these techniques demonstrates how goldsmiths were able to transform matter into works of art of extraordinary beauty and meaning. The works of medieval goldsmiths remain an impressive testimony to the creativity and faith of the people of that time.
We are therefore extremely grateful to our customer: A medieval fitting like this is an outstanding opportunity for us to be able to transfer these old goldsmith techniques into today with this consistency and attention to detail as part of a project like this.