Manufacture of Masterpieces
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- ManÂuÂfacÂture of Masterpieces
Our exceptional crafpersons
Today, as always, each piece designed by Odiot is handcrafted with the same passion and expertise .
Our workÂshop is comÂposed of a team of craftsperÂsons highÂly speÂcialÂized in goldÂsmithing with mulÂtiÂple skills, as well as creÂativeÂness and aesÂthetÂic sense.
An unique collection of drawings
OdiÂot has a colÂlecÂtion of tools, molds and drawÂings which conÂstiÂtutes a herÂitage of sevÂerÂal hunÂdred years old, to proÂduce modÂels using the same techÂniques and know-how estabÂlished by yesterday’s goldsmiths.
A handcrafted shaping
For cylinÂdriÂcal pieces, most often a spinÂning lathe is used, whereÂby a “chuck” is designed or patÂterned to the shape of the holÂlow piece to be creÂatÂed. A flat sheet of metÂal is cut into a round disk, and placed between the chuck and a holdÂing device called the folÂlowÂer or chaser.
While turnÂing or spinÂning in the lathe, the metÂal takes on the exact shape as the chuck it is being foldÂed against.
Non cylinÂdriÂcal pieces need to be shaped entireÂly by hand, using a hamÂmer to strike the metÂal against a form usuÂalÂly made of steel. CountÂless blows with the hamÂmer are necÂesÂsary before the object reachÂes its finÂished shape.
How to work of Silver
Whether shaped manÂuÂalÂly or on a spinÂning lathe, elasÂticÂiÂty of the metÂal requires this step to be done gradÂuÂalÂly and very careÂfulÂly so not as to damÂage the silÂver. Once the metÂal reached its maxÂiÂmum elasÂticÂiÂty, it has to be heatÂed to recovÂer its proÂpriÂeties so that the silÂverÂsmith can work it again, repeatÂedÂly shapÂing and heatÂing the metÂal until the desired form is obtained.
Beautiful and delicate ornaments
DolÂphins, butÂterÂfly, palm leaves, acanÂthus leaves, mask, lion’s claw … The conÂstiÂtuÂtion of ornaÂments is an essenÂtial step in the manÂuÂfacÂture of OdiÂot parts.
The ornaÂments are always chisÂeled by hand and require many hours of work. OrnaÂments such as angels, sphinÂges or vicÂtoÂries are made from origÂiÂnal molds, but are then takÂen up by the carvÂer who gives them back their authenÂtic decor. The difÂferÂent eleÂments are then screwed and / or careÂfulÂly weldÂed, by hand, to the main part, dependÂing on the shape of the ornament.
Two historic hallmarks
The pieces are then rubbed down, sharpÂened and whitened. At the request of the cusÂtomer, prodÂucts can also be aged or oxidized.
It is imporÂtant to note that verÂmeil conÂsists in covÂerÂing the silÂver coin with a thickÂness of at least 5 microns of fine gold. FinalÂly, all of our prodÂucts have our makÂer’s mark, to guarÂanÂtee the authenÂticÂiÂty of our pieces; and MinÂerÂva, hallÂmark of the French State, to cerÂtiÂfy the puriÂty of silÂver (first grade silver).