About Us
The ancient filigree masters or silversmiths are among the most famous craftsmen of the city of Prizren. These craftsmen, working with hand tools and wringing or treating with filigree technique artifacts of gold, silver, copper, amber and precious stones, make the ancient city known all over the world.
Well known filigree artifacts are numerous. Tobacco boxes, pipes, ashtrays, necklace pieces, rings, bracelets, earrings, jewelries for shirts, necklaces, belts, water or wine cups, hair jewelries etc.
The filigree bazaar where the goldsmiths of Prizren operated was considered the home of Filigree and has been known since ancient times outside the Balkan Peninsula because of its high creative values. Among the oldest craftsmen in Prizren are considered to have been: Pjetër Kolveshi, Anton Kolveshi, Matej Vuçaj, Lorenc Vuçaj, Andreja Vuçaj, Fran Vuçaj, Matej Gashi, Mark Gashi, Simon Pali, Palush Pali, Lora Pali, Sebë Augustin Delhysa, Gjon Delhysa, Kolë Delhysa, Pjetër Shahta, Kristë Shahta, Shani Shahta, Tush Shahta, Luz Kolveshi, Lon Kolveshi, Bal Jak Gjoni etc.
Filigree was inherited from the middle generation of artisans, including: Kolë and Ndua of Tom Preni, Dedë Gjeçi, Gjon Vuçaj, Pal Delhysa, Dedë Vuçaj, Ndrekë Cuki, Zef Kolveshi, Luz dhe Lorenc Kajrazi, Luz Mita, Hysin Alo, Faruk Shala, Riza Karaselo, Fatime Baruti, Davut Babauna, Salajdin Igxhi, Luigj Toqi, Lon Bytyqi, Shadi Kryeziu, Ismet Nasufi, Eqrem Pupus, Arif Kuksi, Nexhmedin Pasuli, Izet Dervenica, Abdullah Zogaj, Gjemal Zogaj, Ali Jetishi, Tush Krasniqi, Hill Gojani, Tush Deda, Gjon Delhysa, Franush Gomilla, Ace Tupeci, Mikush Kaqinari, Zef Vica, Tef Bucaj, Krist Tuna, Gjergj Canaj, Alajdin Kantargji, Fran Gojani, Lajde Laqi, Bashkim Tejeci, Xhafer Lushaj, Faik Bajusuf Kastrati.Mja, Ajten Emrush, Neshat Krasniqi, Hysin Koro, Besire Toqilla, Zyrije Milaimi, Gani Jetishi, Remzije Qollaku, Barije Kepa, Mark Nua, Memet Lika, Hysnije Shala, Sevgjan Kuksi, Severgjan Purova, Shefkat Nasufi, Gyler Kahramani, Izet Kovaqi, Jusuf Pupe, Rrok Shiroka, Zejxhane Celina, Dijana Miredita, Masar Salla, Afrim Gashi, Fikret Mujollari, Besim Shijaku, Albert Shishko, Bedridin Gymyshell, Ylber Gjini, Abdulla Pasuli, Ramiz Kuksi, Zejgjane Celina.
Filigree craft is considered to be one of the most popular craft in Prizren. In 1922 over 35 shops were identified in Prizren. Prizren filigree masters exported their products to the Paris International Fair, where their exhibits aroused interest not only in French buyers but also in some Tunisian merchants.
After World War II, in Prizren was established the 'Filigrani' cooperative, where all active and experienced creators were employed. The initiative to establish the cooperative began in the year 1946, with the participation of 81 silversmiths, and work began on January 1, 1947. The cooperative was registered as the Association of Craftsmen in Belgrade on January 13, 1947, under the name of the Filigree Processing Cooperative. The first chairman of the cooperative was Jak Mjeda, while the secretary and treasurer Cin Mjeda. Its first workspaces were at the 'Union' Hotel. Later the cooperative changed its name from '' Filigrani - Prizren's Filigree Craft Cooperative '' to the 'Filigran' gold and silver jewelry production company.
During its operations, the cooperative saw an increase in active contributors. Of the 11 co-founders and founders of the cooperative, the number of craftsmen during the first year increased to 81, while by the third year the number increased to 153. It is worth noting that within this enterprise, for the first time Albanian women also began to deal with this craft.
The company operated separately in gold and silver raw materials sectors, with each master leading a specific production field, assisted by a deputy master and three workers. Production areas varied from the production of ornaments, earrings, brooches, necklaces, etc. until the production of larger-sized souvenirs.
The craftsmen engaged in this enterprise are distinguished for the culmination of their creativity through the production of monumental works of special value, mainly for the purpose of donating to the scholars of the time. In 1979, 7 craftsmen and 3 of their assistants worked with a filigree molding technique on a desk containing 15 kg of silver. The company 'Filigrani' also worked on the model of the cultural and historical monument '' Sofi Sinan Pasha Mosque in Prizren '', which employed 3 masters and 2 assistants, pouring and filing 2 kg of silver. This work was donated to the then Egyptian President Gamal Abdel Naser on the occasion of his visit to the territories of then Yugoslavia. In addition to other works dedicated to the state delegations of the time, three gold boxes, with casting techniques which were donated to the King of Ethiopia, Haile Selas.
The political, social and economic conditions in the country after the nineties made most of the active filigranists of the city of Prizren move to neighboring countries in search of a better working environment. The most prominent masters settled along the Adriatic coast, with an emphasis on the tourist areas of Croatia, Slovenia and Montenegro. These flows affected the decline of filigree craft development in the city of Prizren, but also marked the spread of working techniques and recognition of their values internationally.