The Private Collection of a Gentleman

An Archaeological Revival brooch, by Castellani, of slightly domed circular form with central flowerhead motif and applied wirework and ropetwist decoration, bearing maker’s mark to the reverse centre, diameter 31mm. £400-£500

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, The Private Collection of a Gentleman.

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Regarded as the pre-eminent creator of 19th century Archaeological Revival style jewellery, the firm of Castellani was founded in in 1814 in Palazzo Raggi, in Rome, by Fortunato Pio Castellani, and later included his sons Alessandro and Augusto.

Castellani's clientele was formed primarily of the large quantities of tourist visitors to Rome, and they took inspiration from the impressive ancient classical jewels that were being unearthed by the archaeological excavations throughout the area. The workshop studied and recreated the techniques of the ancient goldsmiths including the use of granulation and micro-mosaics, and employed a range of religious, classical and secular motifs.
“No nineteenth century lady or gentleman visiting Italy would consider a tour of Rome complete without a stop at Castellani’s to marvel at, and likely purchase, one of his by now hugely fashionable pieces of Archaeological Revival jewellery.”

Alessandro Castellani was very active politically and endured interrogation and imprisonment for his beliefs, until in 1859 he fled to Paris and opened a business premises on the Champs-Elysées, whilst his brother Augusto took over the business in Rome, after Fortunato retired in 1861. Alessandro was able to assist in the purchase by the French government of part of the exceptional Campana Collection of ancient jewellery, which the Castellani’s had been instrumental in the restoration and cataloguing of.

In 1881 the business moved to the Piazza Fontana di Trevi and after Alessandro and Augusto died, Augusto’s son Alfredo inherited the business, continuing to cater to the demand for jewelled souvenirs inspired by Rome’s ancient ruins and Archaeological marvels.  Alfredo had no children and so made arrangements to gift the family’s collections and archives to various museums, the most significant of which was the collection of antiquities and jewellery coupled with 526 pieces made in the Castellani workshop, that can now been seen at the Museo Nazionale Etrusco di Villa Giulia in Rome.