DAMASCENE TEMPLAR CROSS BROOCH8450MARTO of SPAIN The damascene Templar Cross Brooch from Marto is made in Toledo Spain using 24kt yellow gold in the artwork design. The Artwork on each piece is meticulously handmade and designed by damascene artisans, therefore the artwork design of each piece is unique. These patterns are obtained by engraving deep, patterned cuts into steel and then placing a gold foil into the lines of the design. This foil is hammered until the gold (18/greenish and 24/yellow carat) penetrates into the cuts, forming the design. Each piece is treated with a bluing solution to obtain oxidation and a black background is created. The back of all Damascene pieces are finished with gold metal. The Templar Cross Brooch measures 1 1/2 inches in diameter. Surrounding a Templar Cross Pattée is inscribed the Vichiers Seal: SIGILLUM MILITUM XPISTI roughly translated "Seal of the Soldiers of Christ". The Brooch back side is an attachment equipped with a lockable pin.
MARTO GUARANTEES that their Damascene work is manufactured in TOLEDO with Yellow GOLD of 24 kts. and Green GOLD of 18 kts. with a minimum incrusted thickness of 4 microns. (D.O.C.M. 2.7.87)
Damascene "Damasquinado de Oro or "Damasquino" is the art of decorating non-precious metals with gold. It has roots in the Middle Ages and originates from the oriental-style artisan work done in Damascus, Syria. The craft, perfected by the Arabs and brought with them to Spain, has remained virtually unchanged over the centuries. Toledo is the world's largest center of production of Damascene. The city of Toledo is one of the richest historically and culturally endowed cities in all of Spain. Please click here to view more details of the Damascene Process.
