Tesouro Jewels – Portuguese Filigree – From Portugal With “Love”

“Global Chic: Big and bold, old- world charm with a modern feel. Still artisanal. Always authentic”

 

 The name, “Tesouro” means treasure, to Tony Barreto and his wife Neena because they believe that life is a treasure and it is to be enjoyed. 

Together they began, Tesouro Jewels, which seeks to revitalize and showcase the intricate art of Portuguese filigree.

From modern interpretation to traditional design, Tesouro brings the fashionable consumer authentic pieces made by artisans in the lush towns of northern Portugal which include; Porto, Braga, Gondomar, Sobradelo da Goma, and Viana do Castelo.

Tony, a first-generation Portuguese-American, introduced Neena to the beauty of his unique heritage through trips, festivals, and the food of his family.

Neena quickly became enamored with all things Portuguese, and although it was a quest, the filigrana found her, with its smoky swirls of oxidized silver that reminded her of Indian pieces from her own heritage.

The quest for filigrana began for Neena who worked at the  gemstone wholesaler, Mann Brothers & Company, and Tony at JM Imports. Last year, the couple traveled to northern Portugal to the towns that were the heart of Portuguese filigree-making but they found much more than the jewelry which they were looking for. Here’s an excerpt from the website under: “From Portugal with Love”.

“We didn’t know what we would find, but we went with hearts open ready to receive beauty, and we received more than we could have imagined. Our quest was complete, our treasures found. Along the way, we found much more than silver earrings and pendants, though. We found friendship, love, and a few laughs, because in the end it is the people who make a journey complete, not the things. So this is what we’ve brought to you from the tiny factories of Portugal with all of the painstaking love of the local artisans and our joy in finding it.”

A roundabout in Gondomar that pays tribute to its artisanal roots with a glorious filigrana heart sculpture.

Photo below shows beautiful traditional wedding dresses and jewelry from Viana do Castelo, North Portugal.

Filigrana or filigree, is an antiquated art found in many cultures. The Portuguese name, filigrana, literally means “thread and grain,” and refers to the fine gold and silver floss used to create the delicate designs.  Dating back to Roman times Portuguese filigrana artisans have meticulously soldered and woven the threads to create one-of-a-kind pieces that are among the most intricate in the world. Throughout Portugal and especially in the Northern Minho region, where filigrana originates, traditional folklore dancers still proudly display layer upon layer of filigrana that have been passed down through generations. (tesouro.com)

Below is a sampling of the beautiful jewelry in their collections which include; Amor, Maria, Miminho, Natureza, Porto, Princesa, Rainha and other classics.

Every piece is stunningly beautiful to add touch of Portuguese tradition to your own collection which will surely be handed down to future generations.

Alfama Swirl Ring – Rainha Collection

Florbela Pearl Necklace – Maria Collection

Sabrina Lace Bracelet – Amor Collection

Viana Gold Earings

Portuguese Tile Replica Bracelet

Susana Teixeira’s interpretation of the swallow Portuguese folk symbol for the arrival of spring into something ethereal.

Watch this video of a Filigree Artisan

 

My mother brought me back a pair of beautiful Filigree earrings from her visit to Portugal when I was a young girl so many years ago but I never appreciated the artistry and the beauty until many years later.

Sometimes life is full of coincidences. While writing this post I noticed that those earrings that my mother gave me so long ago, are almost identical to the “Viana” earrings that Neena picked for this giveaway.  Viana Do Castelo was my mother’s favorite city, yet another coincidence?

I’ll be sharing this post with my daughter so that she learns about where  those special earrings come from, and that they are passed down from her Grandmother. Please share this post with your family and friends so that they can learn about and appreciate this beautiful handcrafted jewelry, its tradition and begin their own collection!

 *Win these FREE beautiful “Viana Moon” earrings courtesy of Tesouro Jewels in celebration of their 1 Year Aniversary!

*CONTEST HAS ENDED – THANKS TO ALL OF YOU THAT PARTICIPATED

CONGRATS TO THE WINNER WHO HAS BEEN SELECTED! *

Simply leave a comment at the end of this post! GOOD LUCK!

“It seems that people are in love with the Old World style, as our Viana Moon earrings keep selling out. This design is traditionally called “Arrecadas de Viana” or Vianese Earrings. Viana do Castelo is a coastal town north of Porto, that is rich in folklore tradition, where the ladies still pile on gold chains and pendants for festivals.”  Neena 

 

Tesouro Jewels

Phone and fax (510) 894-2885
Email:  info@tesourojewels.com

Tesourojewels.com

facebook.com/tesourojewels

pinterest.com/tesourojewels/artfully-handcrafted-filigree-jewelry/

Retail Locations:

St. Jorge Winery Tasting Room
22769 N. Bender Road
Acampo, CA 95220
stjorgewinery.com

The Royal Rooster
1028 Diablo Street
Clayton, CA 94517
theroyalrooster@sbcglobal.net

Portland Art Museum Shop
1219 SW Park Avenue
Portland, OR 97205
www.pam.org

Silver and Stone
45005 Ukiah Street
Mendocino, CA 95460
www.silverandstone.net

*(One winner randomly chosen on October 30th 2012 will be notified by email)