HISTORICAL HINTS

The history of metals decorated with drawings started with the search for a better metal for swords blade.
The Europeans had found quality blades, superior to Damasco, is that was leading commercial center in the Middle Ages. It was wrongly called "Damasco steel" by crusade soldiers , It really was better as to its resistance and flexibility , besides its wonderful wavy pattern.
Damasco is well-known with its name "Mokume gane" , from the Japanese "Metal with wood grains".
Cassiodoro, famous historian who lived in the sixth century, wrote that such metals were thought to be born directly from the Volcano itself , and not by common human beings.
Exahples of Damasco technique can be found even in Berberian jewels in Morocco, in copper-brass and silver. They are well known since ancient age . This technique already used a long time before The Duch got to Indonesia in 1596 , can be seen in Java daggers " KRISS", made of steel and iron , skilfully forged and worked. In Japan , where metallurgy technique was well- practiced (Katane for example) there were news about it , together with forgery example and the search for new metal alloys to use with the Damasco manufacturing in not-ironed metals . It is called Mokume gane.
The special beauty of this technique is indeed the wide range of colours and shades, that combine Jewellery with Magic and Power.
It is an antique Eastern craftsmanship tecnique in which different metals are matched together: Silver, yellow , white or red Gold, their combinations can be several.
The craftman is supposed to have learnt a lot about metallurgy and Gold alloys for their specific features.
Pattern can be unlimited.