Sterling silver purse, 'Regal Peacock'

Product Review

NOVICA, in association with National Geographic, searches the world to work directly with the finest artisan designers. A proud peacock exhibits its argent feathers amidst a shower of tiny jasmine blossoms. This purse shines in sterling silver, entirely hand-crafted with remarkable detailed by skilled silversmiths. An expert silversmith herself, Ploy Intha is proud to present this purse, its sturdy handle a beautiful complement to the elegant accessory. This purse is ideal for stylish evenings out. To create the piece, the silver alloy is poured into a terracotta container. When the silver has set the artisan beats it with hammers into a sheet and cuts it into the desired shape. A coat of oil and pitch mixture is applied unto a wooden surface before setting the silver sheet to be engraved with chisels and nails. Once engraved, the piece is heated to remove the pitch and placed into a bath of boiling acid to rinse out the impurities. Then the silversmith shapes solid strings into various shapes, and solders them into the desired design. Once completed the piece is washed in tamarind solution and rinsed with water. Once dry, it is filed with a small brass brush and finally polished with a cloth. .925 silver. Artisan Info: "My name is Ploy Intha. Although silversmithing is my passion, I have not always been a silversmith. When I was very young, I worked for five years as a food seller with my sister. I would wake up at two o'clock in the morning and work until nine in the evening.