RARE Antique Italian 18k Yellow Gold CASTELLANI Micromosaic Micro Mosaic c1860

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RARE Antique Italian 18k Yellow Gold CASTELLANI Micromosaic Micro Mosaic c1860:
$7900.00

RARE Antique Italian 18k Yellow Gold CASTELLANI Micromosaic Museum Quality c1860. The Greek inscriptions mean \"Life\" and \"Light\". On the backthere is the Castellanihallmark(mirrored CC).It has alsoa French hallmark for imported18kgold(owl) on the pin. It means thatat some point itused to live in France.It weights 5.14 grams. This pin is exceptional.A true collector piece!

Size: 5/8 of an inchL x 5/8 of an inchW

The brooch will be shipped by FedEx and insured at our own cost.

About Castellani:
Fortunato Pio Castellani (6 May 1794 – 1 January 1865) was a 19th-century Italian jeweler and founder of Castellani, an Italian jewelry company.
Castellani opened his first shop in Rome in 1814. He specialized in recreating the jewelry of ancient craftsmen, particularly the Etruscans. Castellani based many of his designs directly on archaeological evidence and often incorporated intaglios, cameos and micromosaics into his jewelry. His work became very fashionable throughout 19th century Europe and his shop was frequented by grand tourists and aristocracy. The Castellani dynasty spanned three generations, and, were also noted antiquarians.Castellani opened his first workshop in Rome in 1815. Initially, his designs reflected the fashions of the day and were generally based on French and English jewelry of the period. However, in the 1820s, Castellani began to develop the style for which he would become most famous. In collaboration with his friend and sponsor Michelangelo Caetani - later the Duke of Sermoneta and a noted archaeologist - Castellani began to draw inspiration from archaeological discoveries particularly those of the pre-Roman Estruscan culture.
In 1836, archaeologists discovered the Regolini-Galassi tomb, a particularly important Estruscan find that yielded a large amount of beautifully preserved jewelry. Because of his expertise in the field and his connections with Caetani, Castellani was enlisted as an advisor on the excavation. Much of the jewelry excavated was decorated with granulation - tiny specks of gold applied to the surface. This technique was unknown to 19th century jewelers and Castellani was inspired by the discoveries to rediscover the lost art.
In the 1850s, Castellani passed management of the family business to his two sons Alessandro (1824–83) and Augusto (1829–1914) in whose hands it continued to flourish. The family were keen collectors and in addition to their jewelry business they dealt and restored antiquities extensively. Castellani\'s main shop was immediately adjacent to the Trevi Fountain, one of Rome\'s most prestigious locations, and incorporated a museum of the family\'s collection. (source Wikipedia)

We import French antiques and have a boutique in Seattle called The Curious Nest.

For items over $100 we automatically insure the package (even if it\'s at our own cost).

A 9.6% sales tax will be applied for buyers living in Washington state.

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