METALWORK, INDIGENOUS

Philippine indigenous metalworking is one of the archipelago’s oldest and most sophisticated cultural traditions. Early Filipinos mastered the arts of blacksmithing, casting, and goldsmithing with master metalsmiths - known as the "panday" - being revered with almost spiritual undertones. Today, motifs from cultures like the Igorot, T'boli, and Maranao, as well as influences from Catholic sacred art and modern artistic movements like art deco and pop art, find new expressions in contemporary jewelry and accessories.