Jewellery that features cannetille work is often mistaken for filigree detailing, as the two have several common features. Cannetille work is adapted from a style of fabric embroidery; featuring wire and metal sheeting crafted into delicate twists. Filigree detailing is much the same, with the key difference being the forms made by each style of wire/metal work. Where filigree jewellery is a single layer that lies flat, cannetille work often takes 3 dimensional forms, such as domes, flowers, shells and scrolls.
The most popular era for cannetille jewellery was the Georgian era, roughly spanning from the 1720s through to the 1820s. Jewellery from this time period was heavy, with large designs and lots of yellow gold.
Highly detailed pieces of jewellery, Georgian pieces often featured handcrafted gold wire, sometimes set with large precious and semi-precious gemstones. Although these pieces can be rare to find today, they are highly popular and ornate specimens that are desired by many collectors.