Miao-style Snake-shaped Silver Earring

The hook of this snake-shaped earring was finished by the chasing technique while filigree-inlaying was employed for the pendant. Chasing is a time-honored metalworking technique of decorating by handwork the surface of a malleable metal by indenting it and so raising the design to create a relief pattern, using of a great number of differently shaped tracing tools, tracers, and a chasing hammer. Having placed a sheet of metal on chasers pitch or lead, the crafter then started to create lines with a liner and figures by hammering on end of the tracing tools while the other end pushing the surface of the metal, leading to relief-like patterns with bulges and dents. When a position protrudes, its back indents, as indenting and raising are simultaneous.