Ipsa Inlaid Pendant "Wildflower" — Gold & Silver Thread Inlay, Korean Metalwork

A small pendant worked in ipsa — the Korean art of hammering fine gold and silver thread into a cross-hatched metal ground — with a wildflower design, finished in lacquer.

Ipsa reached its height in Goryeo and Joseon, when incense burners, lamp stands and mirror boxes were covered in silver-thread inlay so fine it reads as drawing. The ground is scored by hand with hundreds of crossing lines; gold and silver wire is then tapped into the score, a stroke at a time, until the design locks into the surface. This pendant comes from a studio working in that national-heritage tradition, at a scale meant to be worn every day.

Details

• Studio: Eunsilbagi (은실박이), Korea · Ipsa (metal-thread inlay)
• Materials: Metal ground, gold and silver inlay, lacquer finish
• Size: Pendant 2.3 cm · Chain 26 cm (approx. 52 cm loop)

Watch: the ipsa master at work

Korea's ipsa (metal-inlay) craft, from scoring the ground to setting the thread. Korean narration. (A general introduction — not this specific piece.)

Please read before ordering

• Made to order — about 20 days in the studio. Expect 5–6 weeks to delivery.
• Ships from New Jersey. Price includes all import duties. Fully insured, signature required.