A crowdfunding project related to the intangible cultural heritage of filigree was launched on August 14 in Shanghai.

The project named “filigree candy” aims to make a set of jewelry with the filigree inlay, a traditional filigree craft that was once popular in the royal family but risks extinction now. Initiated by a local cultural company, it intends to appeal to younger people, making this intangible cultural heritage craft into a new fashion.

The project initiator has been promoting filigree inlay for 7 years, an art that has been considered the acme of Chinese refined gold-making craft.

It is now building a diversified and open international innovation platform with various parties. Based on traditional filigree craft, the project invites some leading designers in various fields around the world. They will inject new life into the time-honored craft by combining the essence of traditional culture and current aesthetic standards and functional requirements.

Danish national treasure-level designer Kim Buck, Dutch talented design genius Aldo Bakker, and the founder of Nendo Oki Sato, have all joined the project, contributing their wisdom to enliven the traditional craft.

The “filigree candy” made by Oki Sato is the first fruit of the filigree project, with candy also symbolizing young people’s pursuit for sweetness at present. The set employs the most traditional and representative twist filigree craft. The pearls encased in the 3D candy make for an exquisite piece of jewelry.

Through the project, the initiator hopes more people can have a taste of the traditional culture and the magnificent skill behind it, as the craft is badly in need of a stage to show its charm. It is also acknowledged that the current emphasis on promoting traditional culture will bring an age-old skill to the fore once more, and allow for it to be updated.