Archaeological brooch by Castellani
A Roman jeweller family’s attempt to recreate Etruscan granulation, in jewels in the antique style.
Castellani studied the finds from Etruscan tombs and created ‘archaeological jewellery’, a fashion all over Europe in the 1860s. The family collection is in the Museo Nazionale Etrusco di Villa Giulia in Rome; jewels are also in the British Museum.
Materials: Gold, mosaic or cameos
Manufacture: Granulation and filigree after studying excavated jewels; sometimes with Roman micromosaic.
The fine gold grains and wires – almost, but not quite, like the Etruscan.
The interlaced C mark on the back.