Featured Is cannetille always done with gold?

I have this silver brooch marked Mexico and am wondering if it is cannetille or filigree. It's very large, 3 inches in diameter. I have brightened the picture so the detail is clearer but in reality it is very tarnished but it's so delicately made I can't think of any way to clean it without damaging. All suggestions would be very much appreciated. Also any guesses on how old it might be?

 

Hi,
Just wanted to say Filigree is made with a thin flat wire with a scalloped edge. Cannetille is fatter since it is two wires twisted together.
greg

 

Very nice, @Lizzie

Mine is working out well as a toupee


It was kind of squashed, so i spent some time reshaping it. Just handling it helped brighten it up, but it does tarnish over time - they need to be worn.

 

Scout, that looks like a good use for the pin!

 

Greg, so that means it is neither cannetille or filigree?

 

Is that something that can be swished in hot very sudzy water??

 

It is filigree, scalloped edges are made in some regions and flat edges in other regions.

 

It is filigree, cannetille is a form of filigree that looks like little buttons made of wire around a bead. In Dutch we call it 'spinnetjes', little spiders, maybe that helps.
Both filigree and cannetille can be made of most metals.
Your brooch can be cleaned in some soapy water.

This is cannetille:

 

Thank you everyone!