Woven Silver

Beautifully intricate and tactile silver jewellery by Shropshire based artist Paul Allen.

After completing a BA in Fine Art in 2007 I began creating figurative sculptures in wire and wire mesh. Whilst experimenting with various techniques for my sculpture I discovered the use of silver to create chainmail jewellery. I quickly became fascinated with the process of making chains and researching new patterns and techniques. I now design and make chainmail jewellery in harmony with my sculpture, finding that the skills involved for both transfer and evolve with each other.

Chainmail weaves are very reliant on the ratio of wire gauge to ring circumference and the slightest variation in size can be the difference between a pattern that works and a pattern that doesn't. I like to experiment with ring sizes and techniques and to adapt and evolve the basic patterns, this has allowed me to create some patterns that are totally unique and exclusive to my jewellery.

Chain weaving has a long history going back to the early Sumarians and Egyptians. The Greeks and Romans also made jewellery in wire. I try to keep my techniques true to this old style of chain making and I am very proud to be able to continue an ancient art.

Each jump ring used in the production of my work is hand-formed by myself from solid 925 sterling silver wire before being hand-woven one-by-one into these intricate designs. All clasps, earring posts etc, are made from solid 925 sterling silver and are all quality stamped.