Faidon Ilias

Silversmith

©Kostis Mouselimis

Lessons from fine silver wire

Faidon uses the filigree technique to create objects and jewellery
He is inspired by traditional patterns and elements
The city of Ioannina has a long history in silversmithing

Faidon Ilias learned silversmithing from his father when he was 15 years old. In 2001 he opened his workshop in the city centre and started creating silver filigree jewels and decorative items. Using both traditional and innovative techniques, Faidon crafts highly refined objects and in doing so preserves the tradition of filigree making. The technique of silver filigree consists in forming a fine silver wire and minutely shaping it to create elaborate objects and jewellery. The first object Faidon ever made was a traditional silver filigree basket. “This traditional craft has almost disappeared. In my city, only one or two workshops still use the filigree technique,” he says.

Interview

©Kostis Mouselimis

©Kostis Mouselimis

What do you love most about your craft?: The transformation of a metal mass into a very fine wire from which highly aesthetic objects emerge. For their creation, I apply a special technique with hand tools which is based on mastering the skill of wire composition.
What do people usually not know about your craft?: The objects I create are entirely made by hand, and all the shapes imprinted on the items are handmade one by one. From the melting of the silver and its conversion into wire to the filigree items that I create with tweezers and a pair of scissors, the entire process can take several months.
How is your craft connected to the region where you live?: The city of Ioannina in Greece is also called the city of silversmiths. Today in the city there are about 70 silversmithing businesses. In the past, according to testimonies, there were about 1000 workshops in the city. My craft is strongly linked to the region’s tradition.
What advice do you have for someone interested in your craft?: If you have passion and a lot of patience, you should go for it. The process that starts with the design and ends with bringing the final object to life has a lot to teach you. It can even help you navigate your own personal life.

Faidon Ilias is a master artisan: she began her career in 2001 and she started teaching in 2017