The Lost Art of Guilloché

Exploring its creative possibilities in collaboration with leading jeweller G.Phil Poirier

At Silverlining we’re inspired by many industries outside the world of furniture-making. Whether that’s aviation, automotive or in fact watchmaking, we thrive by discovering new materials and techniques used across the luxury sector and in the case of watches at the micro detail level” says Mark Boddington, Silverlining Furniture founder. “We especially love working with time-honoured techniques that require exceptional skills which are rarely found in traditional cabinetry.

Guilloché is French for ‘engine turning’. The guilloché patterns are created using a rose engine lathe, which has a stationary single–point cutting tool that etches a rotating metal surface. Innumerable intricate geometric designs are possible, and the pieces can then be polished or covered with clear or coloured enamel to create a gem–like glow, as seen on watch dials or Fabergé eggs.

Today, watchmakers and jewellers are reviving the art of guilloché because modern techniques cannot replicate its bright–cut optical effects.

Annular Waves

The Annular Waves design is the result of Silverlining’s research into bringing the art of guilloché into furniture making. The design features a central decorative sterling silver and clear enamel guilloché disc. The patterns are inspired by the mesmerising ripples created when rain droplets hit the surface of water. The ‘annular waves’ technique relies on leather’s natural elastic properties.

The shapes and hand-chased texture mimic the light and shade of concentric ripples of water converging around the micro-detailed guilloché disc. The design is currently being transformed into a sofa design for a project.

The combination of leather and jewel-like disks lends itself very well to larger surface areas. The soft ripples and hand embossed texture work very well in the relaxing atmosphere and space it fills. The intense pattern and precision in the machine turned silver disks complement the leather, like a broach would, pinned to an elegant dress.” says Jim Birch, Silverlining’s Head of Design