Xu Xiaoli, a resident of the Dongying Economic and Technological Development Zone in East China's Shandong province, is a third-generation master of the filigree inlay technique, a distinguished intangible cultural heritage item of Dongying.

The technique dates back to the Shang Dynasty (c. 16th century-11th century BC), with bronze artifacts from this era featuring filigree-like patterns that represent early manifestations of the art of filigree inlay.

Over the course of more than 3,000 years, the craft has evolved to utilize gold and silver as its primary materials. The process involves meticulous engraving and chiseling to create traditional metal works that are both ornamental and practical.

A particularly challenging aspect of creating filigree inlay pieces is the soldering process. Artisans must carefully solder numerous points, ensuring that the wires do not melt and remain precise.

This requires the use of high, medium, and low-temperature fluxes, especially when working with gold items. Maintaining a purity of over 99 percent makes controlling the flux's melting point particularly challenging.

An artisan solders the metal. [Photo/WeChat Account: gh_de6f0be95f98]

After metal processing comes the delicate and highly intricate art of dian cui, which involves applying kingfisher feathers to accessories. The artisan selects high-quality feathers for this process, and the procedure involves several repetitive steps - boiling glue, adhering feathers, drying, filling, and cleaning - culminating in a richly colored and vibrant final product.

A filigree inlay piece made by Dongying artisan Xu Xiaoyan. [Photo/WeChat Account: wenlvdongying]