GOLD AND SILVER FILIGREE 1VORK. The native silversmiths of Cuttack have long been noted for the fineness, neatness, and lightness of their filigree work. This kind of work is exe cuted for the most part, under supervision, by mere boys, whose nimbler fingers and keener eyesight are supposed to enable them to bring out and put together the minute patterns with rnore distinctness and accuracy than their elders can ; comparative cheapness is perhaps another reason for their employment. The ruling rates for this filigree work are from two to two and a half rupees ; that is to say, taking the first rate, two rupees or four shillings is charged for every rupee weight of finished silver work, namely, one rupee for workmanship and one rupee as the price of the silver. The filigree Nvork in gold of Dehli and other places is famed. Next to =dins and em broidered fabrics, filigree work is that for which Dacca is most celebrated. The articles usually
made at Dacca are ladies' ornaments, such as bracelets, ear-rings, brooches, chains, necklaces, etc., and attar-dans and small boxes for natives. The design best adapted for displaying the delicate work of filigree is that of a leaf. It should be drawn on stout paper, and of the exact size of the article intended to be made. The apparatus used in the art is exceedingly simple, consisting merely of a few small crucibles, a piece of bamboo for a blow-pipe, small hammers for flattening the wire, and sets of forceps for intertwisting it. The gold and silver filigree work of the Chinese equals any ever produced by ancient Venetian masters, and their chasing in silver is unrivalled. The art of enamelling on silver is also brought to great perfection in China, and specimens surpass any ever produced at Genoa.—Sirr's China and the Chinese ; Dr. TVatson.