Mathew, how I did it would be a long story lol. Suffice it to say outlines were cut w 90 degree graver, backgrounds and areas for inlay were cut out w small flat gravers. shading on scrolls done w 105 degree graver and bulino on owls were done cutting lines w 70 degree bulino graver.
Mitch, thank you THe white metal is inlayed fine silver, and a lot of it lol. Then 24k gold and 14k green gold.
Just trying to fathom doing the layout for this piece hurts my brain. Cuts starting and stopping, overlapping, then starting again. All becoming one fluid, organic design. Not to mention the shading is beautiful. Makes me want to skip work and go practice! Incredible work!
One question: when doing the "shadow" effect next to the stars, did you actually shade the silver or leave that part steel and inlay around it?