Aztec Art Eagle Silver And Gold

Eagles in Aztec legend are associated with strength. power and the sun. The Eagle is featured on the Mexican coat of arms and flag. I found this Artist's rendition in my North American pattern book. I made a copy and etched it onto sterling silver.

Etching is an interesting process. The pattern is copied onto blue Press and Peel paper. It is burnished onto heated sterling silver sheet. Once the piece cools, the paper is peeled off, the design is left on the silver, sort of like a tattoo. The piece is placed in an acid bath which etches the design into the silver. After the etch is deep enough the silver is placed in a neutralizing solution. The remains of the blue paper is cleaned off. The piece is sawed away from the sheet silver, filed, refined and polished. 

I depletion gilded this piece and burnished 24K Gold Foil onto the heated silver. This is an ancient Korean technique called Keum Boo. I painted on patina for accent.

Dimensions : 2 inches X 1 inch on an 18 inch sterling silver link chain.