Bracelet
500-300 BC (made), before 1925 (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
This bracelet may have been in the Castellani firm's stock for a number of years as the business was winding down in the 20th century.
Ancient beads, scarabs and engraved gemstones from excavations were an essential element of jewellery made in the archaeological style. Mounted in gold, they were densely set in necklaces, bracelets, brooches, earrings or rings.
Castellani, the leading jewellers in Rome, acquired ancient stones in great quantities from many sources. The scarcity of scarabs caused Augusto Castellani to comment in 1862 that their high price ‘impelled the moderns to counterfeit them. And they so perfected this trade that the most experienced eye can barely discover the deception’.
Ancient beads, scarabs and engraved gemstones from excavations were an essential element of jewellery made in the archaeological style. Mounted in gold, they were densely set in necklaces, bracelets, brooches, earrings or rings.
Castellani, the leading jewellers in Rome, acquired ancient stones in great quantities from many sources. The scarcity of scarabs caused Augusto Castellani to comment in 1862 that their high price ‘impelled the moderns to counterfeit them. And they so perfected this trade that the most experienced eye can barely discover the deception’.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Materials and techniques | Gold decorated with applied wirework and granulation, mounted with four carnelian scarabs |
| Brief description | Gold bracelet in the Etruscan style, mounted with four cornelian scarabs, by Castellani, Rome, before 1925 |
| Physical description | Gold bracelet decorated with applied wirework and granulation, and mounted with four cornelian scarabs. With the applied monogram of Castellani. |
| Dimensions |
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| Style | |
| Credit line | Given by the family of Ernest and Antoinette Jones |
| Object history | The scarabs: 500-300 BC. With the applied monogram of Castellani. Bought by Ernest and Antoinette Jones from Alfredo Castellani in Rome in 1925. Castellani Jewellery Exhibition RF.2003/302 |
| Production | The scarabs are Etruscan, 500-300 BC |
| Subjects depicted | |
| Summary | This bracelet may have been in the Castellani firm's stock for a number of years as the business was winding down in the 20th century. Ancient beads, scarabs and engraved gemstones from excavations were an essential element of jewellery made in the archaeological style. Mounted in gold, they were densely set in necklaces, bracelets, brooches, earrings or rings. Castellani, the leading jewellers in Rome, acquired ancient stones in great quantities from many sources. The scarcity of scarabs caused Augusto Castellani to comment in 1862 that their high price ‘impelled the moderns to counterfeit them. And they so perfected this trade that the most experienced eye can barely discover the deception’. |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | M.35-2001 |
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| Record created | December 19, 2001 |
| Record URL |
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