Master filigree jeweler Viktor Čivljak has a gentle and humble manner despite regularly wielding blow torches and hammers in his making of Old World jewelry. It turns out that the 73-year-old Split, Croatia jeweler also has a penchant for survival, something that we would learn while spending a Saturday afternoon with him, watching step-by-step how to make a pair of intricate filigree silver earrings.
Viktor and his wife, Flora, along with son Lorenc, who is working to become the family’s fourth-generation jeweler, sell their tiny traditional silver treasures in an intimate shop, Filigran Split, located just outside of the 1,700-year-old walls of Roman Emperor Diocletian’s Palace.
Croatia has no trade school for learning the art of making filigree jewelry and in order to become a filigree artist, one must apprentice. Typically, family members carry on the jewelry-making tradition, or one approaches a master to request that he take him on as a student.
Viktor’s grandfather, Josip, was the first in the family to learn the art, then came father Lorenc, and then Viktor, who began shadowing with his father at the age of 13.
In a market where industrial-scale molding is being used to mass produce the majority of the world’s silver filigree jewelry, the Čivljak’s family-owned establishment offers customers the chance to purchase entirely handmade traditional Croatian souvenirs and unique family heirlooms. It is said that Viktor is the only jeweler in Split who crafts his pieces solely by hand.
From rings, pendants, and brooches, to scarf and hair pins, bracelets and cuff-links, Viktor also makes decorative silver spoons to welcome a new baby into the family or commemorate a visit to the beautiful city of seaside Split. At the request of a customer, he’ll even incorporate coral, pearls, jade, turquoise, or onyx into the jewelry’s lacy design.
Though jewelry-making and shopkeeping in a scenic tourist town like Split might sound idyllic, things weren’t always so for the Čivljaks. Six years ago, a burglary nearly bankrupted the family-owned shop, where Viktor’s been making masterpieces out of silver since the 1980s.
“The man who broke in stole all of Viktor’s best pieces — representing tens of thousands of dollars and hundreds of hours of his work,” family friend and translator Tamara explained to us during our visit.
“For a while, the family considered closing the shop, but like a phoenix rising from the ashes, they survived.”
Despite the recession, the couple continues to exemplify a survival spirit, thanks to regular customers and strolling tourists who serendipitously happen upon their shop.
“Pure creation. I love the creative process.”
– Viktor Čivljak
They are also commissioned to make traditional jewelry and more contemporary versions of historic items. Each year, Viktor and Flora are asked to make buttons and cuff-links for participants in Croatia’s famous Alka event, which is held annually in the town of Sinj to commemorate a victory over the Ottomans. The high-profile tournament, which the Croatian president and other dignitaries regularly attend, has taken place since the early 18th century. Viktor and Flora have also noticed that young Croatian couples are reviving traditional motifs and modifying them for more contemporary use.
“Some grooms are now wearing a toka button in place of a tie during their wedding ceremonies,” Flora noted, while pointing to an array of the filigree balls that are considered to be classics in Dalmatia.
When I asked the couple what they most enjoy about their jewelry business, Viktor wasted no time in responding.
“Pure creation. I love the creative process,” he said in his soft-spoken voice.
Chiming in, Flora playfully added, “And I am the advisor. Viktor consults with me as he’s making a piece of jewelry.” Indeed we noticed this partnership, particularly when Viktor was juggling several tools and needed a helping hand to lightly tap pieces into place.
For four hours that Saturday, we’d watch as Viktor’s hands carefully twirled, wove, and soldered silver wires. At times, he sprinkled a fairy dust-like powder on them. Over the course of the afternoon, he’d transform the delicate silver thread into a stunning pair of earrings — demonstrating perfection that can only be achieved through decades of practice.
By the day’s end he proudly displayed a glimmering pair of earrings in his open palms, a look of satisfaction on his face, and a twinkle in his eye at our display of wonderment.
Filigree jewelry will simply never be the same anymore.
Video of this Experience:
Planning Pointers:
- Viktor and Flora’s shop, Filigran Split, is located at Bosanska 4 in Split, Croatia. It’s just a few seconds’ walk from Pjaca (Narodni Trg Square), and less than a minute from the Iron Gate of Diocletian’s Palace. As it is a small, family-owned business, Viktor and Flora only accept cash payments. In addition to speaking their native language, Croatian, the couple’s son Lorenc speaks English, and jeweler Viktor speaks German.
- You can peruse just a handful of Viktor’s offerings in his online shop, or find him on the Filigran Split Facebook page. We were wowed by the hundreds of custom designs that Viktor’s created in the last five decades. Ask him to see his portfolio. He’s also happy to custom-design work based on a customer’s sketch, but be sure to allow sufficient time when ordering.
- The price of Viktor’s jewelry varies based upon an item’s weight. Also, it is more challenging to craft smaller pieces of jewelry than larger ones.
- Need more inspiration? This link contains an index of all my posts from Croatia.
Accommodation in the Split Area:
Shawn and I have spent a total of five winters and one summer in and around the city of Split, using it as a base to explore Croatia’s popular Central Dalmatia region. We’ve made it a habit to create new memories by staying in a different property each year. Over the years, we’ve had long-term stays in Split, Trogir, Solin, and Makarska. We would happily revisit all of the following apartments. (Please note that some are affiliate links.)
- Kaleta Apartments (Split) – These lovely apartments are located within Diocletian’s Palace (well, technically just a few meters from the Iron Gate). Our elegant studio apartment, called the “Diocletian’s Suite,” had lots of character — including Roman brickwork embedded into the wall. We had overhead views of life on Split’s Old Town streets, and we enjoyed chatting with the friendly owners, Novica and Negri. We spent about 2.5 months here.
- Guesthouse F (Split) – This cozy studio apartment is located in Split’s Varoš neighborhood, just a few minutes’ walk from Diocletian’s Palace. With its quirky narrow streets and stone homes decorated with hunter-green shutters and flower boxes, Varoš is charming. One of Guesthouse F’s apartments was originally a horseshoe maker’s workshop, owned by Anja’s grandfather. Shawn and I dubbed it the “horseshoe cottage.” Aside from our central location, we loved having a tiny terrace. We also appreciated the kindness of our hosts, Anja and Miro. In total, we spent about 2 months here.
- Viola Apartment (Split) – We spent roughly 3 months in this wonderful 2-bedroom apartment, which is also in the Varoš neighborhood of Split. The apartment also has a lovely sun porch and garden. It is in an old stone home, but the interior has recently been remodeled. We were in a perfect location for accessing Diocletian’s Palace and Marjan Forest Park, too. On foot, it takes about six minutes to reach Split’s most famous lookout point near the Caffe Bar Vidilica. The owner, Ljubica, lives upstairs. She is easygoing and helpful.
- Apartments Mirkec (Trogir) – We spent 7 wonderful weeks in this studio apartment, which is located in the heart of the town of Trogir. The apartment had good Wifi and a kitchen with all the basics. It was also perfectly situated in the heart of Trogir’s gorgeous Old Town, just a minute’s walk from the seaside walkway, the Riva. Trogir’s bus station was about a 5-minute walk from the Apartments Mirkec, making day trips using mass transportation easy. Note: As of 2025, I think this apartment has permanently closed. However, the owner’s popular restaurant (Pizzeria Mirkec), which is located underneath the apartment, is still cooking up delicious pizzas in their wood-fired pizza oven.
- Apartments Vesna (Makarska) – This 1-bedroom apartment was our home for about 12 months. The apartment is on the top floor and features skylights. A small balcony on the back of the apartment overlooks Makarska’s harbor — the views of Makarska’s dramatic mountains are wonderful! It takes about 8 minutes to reach Makarska’s bus station on foot. In a matter of minutes, you can also walk to Makarska’s Riva (seaside promenade), several grocery stores, restaurants, and cafés. The owners, Mise and Anna, are exceptionally friendly and helpful.
Where in the World?
Disclosure & Thanks:
We approached Filigran Split to request the opportunity to document the filigree-making process. As a touching and generous gesture, they presented me with the pair of earrings that Viktor made during this filming session. To say that I will cherish them would be an understatement. :)
Hvala / Special thanks to Flora and Viktor for welcoming us into the shop and for being so patient with all of our questions and photographs. At times, it must have felt as though the paparazzi was in your workshop. :) Also, many thanks to Tamara, for translating, and Robert, for introducing us to Flora and Viktor.
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Jewelry design © Viktor Čivljak, Filigrant Split, Bosanska 4, Split, Croatia.
Photography & text © Tricia A. Mitchell. All Rights Reserved. Video footage is courtesy of my husband, Shawn.
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