Luis Enrique Ramírez Orozco smiles for the camera as festival visitors admire his filigree work.
Photo by Cristina Díaz-Carrera, Smithsonian Institution
Luis Enrique Ramírez Orozco works diligently to craft a flower for his jewelry.
Photo by JB Weilapp, Smithsonian Institution
Luis Enrique Ramírez Orozco smiles for the camera as festival visitors admire his filigree work.
Photo by Cristina Díaz-Carrera, Smithsonian Institution
Luis Enrique Ramírez Orozco works on his latest piece of jewelry while Pacific Rainforest jeweler Francisco Mena Palacios looks on and Ingrid Frederick Obregón translates for festival visitors.
Photo by Walter Larrimore, Smithsonian Institution
Luis Enrique Ramírez Orozco works carefully to bend the silver in just the right way.
Photo by Walter Larrimore, Smithsonian Institution
Luis Enrique Ramírez Orozco stands in front of the hammock made by Southeastern Plains participants.
Photo by Walter Larrimore, Smithsonian Institution
Luis Enrique Ramírez is a silver and goldsmith, whose workshop is attached to his home. Using filigree techniques that go back 150 years, he draws long fine strands of gold or silver and then twists and forges the metal for assembly to form the final filigree piece. Originally, filigree jewelry was made only with gold, but due to the rising cost of gold, today jewelers in Mompox work primarily with silver.
"I began to work with jewelry as an apprentice in a workshop in Mompox. I enjoy designing a lot, so I use the tradition with the new to create new combinations."
