Toledo is the Largest Producer of Damascene Works in Spain:
Damascene Shopping in Toledo
One of the famous handicrafts of Toledo is Damascene or Damasquino. In almost every shop in Toledo you will find some form of damascene product. These range from rings, pendants, brooches and picture frames, to the more expensive decorative plates.
The Craft of Damascene
Damascene is the ancient Moorish craft of inlaying gold or silver on non-precious metals like iron or steel. These are then fired so that the underlying metal oxidizes and becomes black, leaving the gold to stand out in sharp contrast. The craft is believed to have its roots in the oriental-style craft work in Damascus and Syria. The Arabs perfected the skill and brought it to Spain where it has remained to this day, with Toledo being the main centre of Damascene production.
A Damascene Showroom Visit
On our visit to the Damasquinados Suarez showroom we watched a craftsman inlaying gold wires into patterns that had been deeply engraved into round steel buttons.
The Craft of Damascene
With his tool, he pressed the gold wires into the grooves. The gold is hammered until it penetrates into the button. We were told that the next step is for the gold inlayed button to be treated with a bluing solution. This has the effect of causing the metal to oxidise hence creating the black background. We didn’t get to see this process as it was time for the eager shoppers to be set free in the Damascene showroom.
Buying Damascene in Toledo
Damasquinados Suarez have been producing Damascene works since 1927. The showroom stocks a wide range of Damascene jewelry and other Damascene wares for sale. Their damascene designs range from the geometric Arabesque to the Renaissance look with bird and flower motifs. If you intend buying some Damascene on your Toledo holiday, it’s best to buy it from a reliable source.
Gold damascene plate
The Damascene jewelry was popular with most of the ladies in the group. For me, it was the decorative plates that I admired most. They looked exquisite, but at a few hundred Euros each, they had to stay in the display cabinet.
Other items in the showroom included a large collection of swords and sabres which is another of Toledo’s famous products. You can see photos of our Damascene showroom visit at Travelsignposts photo gallery HERE.
Address:
Damasquinados Suarez
Circo Romano, 8
45004 Toledo
Tel: +34 925 280 027
Map of Toledo:
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Just came back from Toledo ,and other cities, but specifically Toledo bought some earrings ,
everybody just looks , and where did you get them ??
The art these people are doing is to be congratulated.!
Best regards from us.
I visited your amazing workshop and purchased some earrings but lost one when I wore them for the first time it came off the hook. I would really would like to replace it as I loved them.
Natalie,
We are a travel website and not the damascene workshop you visited. You may wish to give them a call on the number provided in the above post.
Kind regards,
Helen
I went on a tour and ended at your showroom. We purchased earrings, necklace,pocket watch and 2 bracelets. Upon arriving to our hotel, we wanted to wear our bracelets but my husband’s bracelet the clasp wouldn’t close and my clasp is crooked. I called your office immediately and was told to email Carmen from contabilidad dept. we were leaving the following day to Seville then to Córdoba,Granada then Marbella so we couldn’t return to store. I’ve emailed Carmen twice with no response. How can I get this fixed if I cannot go back to Toledo? I do not have access to mailbox or telephone. If I use my cell phone it would be extremely expensive. Please advise Thank you very much.
Hi Robert,
We are a travel information website and not the showroom that you and your wife bought jewellery from.
You can try phone Damasquinados Suarez on Skype where the call rates are cheaper. Alternatively, it might be easier if you pay someone in your local craft market to fix them for you.
Kind regards,
Helen Page