CASTELLANI
A micro mosaic and gold brooch, circa 1860/1870
$ 150,000.00
Designed as an annular micro mosaic of a male lion head in the manner of ancient depictions, upon a white back ground, within a border of yellow gold chevon link...
Designed as an annular micro mosaic of a male lion head in the manner of ancient depictions, upon a white back ground, within a border of yellow gold chevon link motifs and beading in the Etruscan manner, signed Castellani, the micro mosaic attributed to Luigi Podio, circa 1860-70. Dimensions: 5cm diameter
The Castellani jewels of the late 19th Century remain some of the most beautiful homages to ancient jewels ever created. The public unveiling of the incredible Campana jewellery collection in the 1860s reignited the passion for archeologically inspired gems that had begun to otherwise wane by the end of the 19th Century. The Campana jewellery collection was amassed by the third generation of an Italian family of avid collectors: the marchese Giovanni Pietro Campana from the 1830s to 1850s. Following financial difficulties and a conviction of embezzlement, the collection was sold by the Papal State and ended up largely in the Louvre and the Hermitage.
The task of this incredible collection's repair and restoration in preparation for sale fell to the famous jewellery family the Castellanis in 1858/9. The astute goldsmiths were able to study the ancient techniques and styles and created a beautiful collection of jewels inspired by their handling of this unparalleled collection. The micro-mosaics created by the firm were made under the guidance of Luigi Podio who presided over the mosaic workshop between 1851 and 1888. This lion is one of the most exceptional examples of this.
Auction comparison Sotheby's New York 5th December 2017, an equivalent mosaic by Castellani depicting Medusa sold for $137,500
Museum comparison: A micro mosaic by Castellani depicting Medusa in the Metropolitan Museum of Art Collection in New York Accession Number: 2007.299.1
The Castellani jewels of the late 19th Century remain some of the most beautiful homages to ancient jewels ever created. The public unveiling of the incredible Campana jewellery collection in the 1860s reignited the passion for archeologically inspired gems that had begun to otherwise wane by the end of the 19th Century. The Campana jewellery collection was amassed by the third generation of an Italian family of avid collectors: the marchese Giovanni Pietro Campana from the 1830s to 1850s. Following financial difficulties and a conviction of embezzlement, the collection was sold by the Papal State and ended up largely in the Louvre and the Hermitage.
The task of this incredible collection's repair and restoration in preparation for sale fell to the famous jewellery family the Castellanis in 1858/9. The astute goldsmiths were able to study the ancient techniques and styles and created a beautiful collection of jewels inspired by their handling of this unparalleled collection. The micro-mosaics created by the firm were made under the guidance of Luigi Podio who presided over the mosaic workshop between 1851 and 1888. This lion is one of the most exceptional examples of this.
Auction comparison Sotheby's New York 5th December 2017, an equivalent mosaic by Castellani depicting Medusa sold for $137,500
Museum comparison: A micro mosaic by Castellani depicting Medusa in the Metropolitan Museum of Art Collection in New York Accession Number: 2007.299.1
