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Mompox Silver Filigree, Colombia

Mompox, Colombia, is a town steeped in colonial charm and renowned for its silver filigree craftsmanship, a tradition that has flourished for centuries along the banks of the Magdalena River. This delicate art form involves twisting ultra-fine silver threads into lace-like patterns, often inspired by nature and geometry. The technique was introduced during the Spanish conquest, when Iberian metalsmiths—many trained in Arab filigree methods—settled in Mompox, drawn by its strategic location and abundance of precious metals.

The process begins with melting pure silver into ingots, which are then drawn into wires as thin as a strand of hair. These wires are twisted, curled, and soldered together using foot-pumped blowtorches and flux to create intricate designs. Artisans often work with two types of wire: thicker ones for the structural frame and ultra-fine ones for the decorative fill. Each piece is assembled thread by thread, resulting in jewelry that is both lightweight and visually rich, with patterns like caracol (snail), leaves, and birds reflecting the region’s natural beauty.

Filigree in Mompox is more than a craft—it’s a family legacy. Workshops like those run by the Tres Palacios family have passed down techniques through generations, blending traditional motifs with modern interpretations. Each artisan develops a distinct style, and many pieces are custom-made, tailored to the client’s vision. The town’s cobbled streets echo with the rhythmic tapping of hammers, a sound that speaks to the enduring vitality of this heritage.

Today, Mompox filigree is celebrated worldwide for its elegance and authenticity. Tourists flock to the town not only to purchase jewelry but to witness the artistry firsthand. The rise in tourism has helped preserve the tradition, with workshops offering demonstrations and even allowing visitors to participate in the creation process. Whether it’s a shimmering pair of earrings or a symbolic pendant, Mompox filigree carries the soul of a town where time seems to stand still—and beauty is spun from silver.

Statue of Liberty in front of the cloister of San Carlos

Joyería Wamaris
Among the most celebrated workshops in Mompox is Joyería Wamaris, a family-run business led by Doris Peñalosa, who represents the third generation of filigree artisans in her family. Wamaris stands out for its commitment to preserving traditional techniques while embracing innovation in design. The process begins with selecting high-quality silver or gold, which is then melted, drawn into fine threads, and woven into patterns like zigzags, caracoles, and ramales. These threads are soldered and shaped by hand, often taking days to complete a single pair of earrings. The workshop also produces custom pieces, including trays and decorative items, showcasing the versatility of filigree beyond adornment.

  • What makes Wamaris particularly special is its dedication to community and craftsmanship. The tools used in their workshop are locally made by a skilled ironworker named José María, whose custom-forged instruments are trusted by generations of artisans. This symbiotic relationship between trades not only sustains the local economy but also reinforces the authenticity of the craft. Wamaris has become a beacon for aspiring jewelers in Mompox, offering mentorship and employment to young artisans who wish to carry on the tradition.
  • Visiting Joyería Wamaris is more than a shopping experience—it's a journey into the heart of Mompox’s cultural heritage. Guests can witness the creation process firsthand, speak with the artisans, and even participate in shaping a piece. Whether you're drawn to the shimmering elegance of a filigree necklace or the story behind its creation, Wamaris offers a tangible connection to the artistry and spirit of this magical town.

Filigree Class

  1. Casting
  2. Forging
  3. Rolling
  4. Wire Drawing
  5. Forming and Reinforcement
  6. Fabrics

Souvenir

  1. Cut 4cm
  2. Notch 2cm
  3. Curved ends
  4. Bend and weld
  5. Filling
  6. Welding
  7. Polish and shine

Casting
Casting marks the fiery beginning of artisanal silver filigree work, where raw silver is transformed into a usable form.

  • This stage involves melting pure silver—often alloyed with small amounts of copper for added strength—in a crucible heated to temperatures exceeding 900°C.
  • Once liquefied, the molten metal is poured into a mold or channel to form a bar or ingot.
  • This foundational step is critical: the quality and purity of the cast metal directly influence the finesse and durability of the filigree threads that will be drawn from it.

Lamination
After cooling, the silver bar undergoes lamination, where it's hammered and passed through rolling mills to reduce its thickness.


Wire drawing
The flattened bar is then pulled through progressively smaller holes in a drawplate, producing ultra-fine wires—sometimes as thin as 0.2mm.


Forming and Reinforcement
These wires are annealed (heated and cooled) to soften them, making them pliable enough for the intricate twists and curls that define filigree. Artisans must balance strength and flexibility, ensuring the wire won’t snap during shaping but will hold its form once set.

  • The drawn wire is often twisted into pairs or spirals, depending on the desired pattern. This twisting adds both aesthetic texture and structural integrity.
  • In traditional workshops, this is done manually using hand-cranked drills or custom tools, with each artisan developing their own rhythm and technique.
  • The twisted wire is then flattened or shaped further, ready to be incorporated into the design.
  • This stage is where the metal begins to take on the personality of the piece—whether it’s destined for a delicate pendant or an ornate tray.

Different silver filigree patterns: zig zag, winged, round snail, goat's foot snail, branch and pandero
Silver filigree patterns are not just decorative motifs—they’re the vocabulary of a centuries-old language spoken through twisted wire and soldered dreams. Each pattern carries its own rhythm and symbolism, shaped by regional traditions and the artisan’s hand.

  • The zigzag pattern, for instance, is one of the most fundamental. It’s created by folding fine silver threads into sharp, angular waves, often used to frame or fill larger designs. Its geometric precision adds a sense of movement and structure, making it a versatile base in both traditional and contemporary filigree.
  • The winged pattern evokes lightness and grace. Crafted by curving paired wires outward like feathers or petals, it’s often used to suggest flight, freedom, or divine protection. This motif appears frequently in earrings and pendants, where its airy form complements the delicate nature of filigree.
  • In contrast, the round snail and goat’s foot snail patterns are more organic.
  • The round snail, or caramujo redondo, spirals inward like a coiled shell, symbolizing eternity or introspection.
  • The goat’s foot snail (caramujo pata de cabra) adds a quirky twist—its asymmetrical curl mimics the cloven shape of a hoof, lending rustic charm and a touch of whimsy to the composition.
  • The branch pattern, or ramal, is inspired by nature’s fractal beauty. It mimics the structure of twigs or vines, often branching out from a central stem to create a sense of growth and vitality. This pattern is especially popular in necklaces and brooches, where it can be layered to create lush, botanical textures.
  • Finally, the pandero pattern—named after a traditional tambourine—is circular and rhythmic, often used as a central motif. It features concentric loops or scalloped edges that resemble the instrument’s frame, and it’s typically surrounded by smaller patterns to create a harmonious visual “beat.”
  • Together, these patterns form the expressive toolkit of filigree artisans, each one contributing its own voice to the final piece. Whether used in isolation or woven together, they reflect the artisan’s mastery and the cultural heritage embedded in every twist of silver.

Polish and shine
Once a silver filigree piece is complete, its final polish is what elevates it from intricate craftsmanship to radiant artistry. The goal is to enhance the natural luster of silver while preserving the delicate wirework.

  • Artisans typically begin by cleaning the piece thoroughly to remove any residues from soldering or handling. This may involve soaking it in a mild detergent solution, brushing gently with a soft-bristled brush, and rinsing with warm water. For stubborn tarnish, a soak in lemon salt or a gentle silver cleaning solution can help restore brightness without damaging the fine details.
  • The polishing itself is a careful dance between technique and sensitivity. Because filigree is so intricate, traditional buffing wheels can be too aggressive. Instead, jewelers often use soft chamois buffs with polishing compounds like Zam or rouge, applied via a flex shaft or hand tools. These materials are chosen for their ability to reach into crevices without snagging or distorting the wirework. Some artisans also use radial disks or mini muslin buffs to achieve a mirror-like finish on the frame wires while leaving the inner filigree slightly matte for contrast.
  • Once polished, the piece is dried and inspected under bright light to ensure uniform shine and no residual tarnish. The final result is a gleaming, lace-like creation that catches light from every angle. To preserve this brilliance, owners are advised to store filigree jewelry in soft cloth pouches or airtight containers, away from moisture and chemicals. With proper care, the polish and shine of a silver filigree piece can last for generations, embodying both the skill of the artisan and the timeless elegance of the craft.

See Also

Source

Location

Location: Cra. 2 #17A - 48, Santa Cruz de Mompox, Mompós, Bolívar, Colombia