Filigree is delicate ornamental work made from thin threads of gold, silver, or other metal, twisted and curved into intricate lacy patterns. Imagine taking strands of metal as fine as hair and carefully bending them into tiny spirals, loops, and curves to create something that looks almost like frozen lace or a spider's web made of precious metal.

You might see filigree on jewelry like earrings or bracelets, where metalworkers have shaped thin wires into elaborate designs with tiny open spaces between the curves. Antique picture frames, fancy boxes, and ceremonial objects often feature filigree decoration.

Making filigree requires extraordinary patience and skill. Artisans heat the metal to make it bendable, then use special tools to twist and shape each thin strand before soldering the pieces together into a complete design. One mistake can ruin hours of careful work.

People sometimes use filigree to describe anything with similarly delicate, lacy patterns, even if it's not actually made of metal wire. You might hear someone describe frost patterns on a window or decorative ironwork as having a filigree or filigreed appearance.