Did you know that there was no goddess of music?

Ancient Greek and Roman mythology appears to give us only a muse for music and her name was Euterpe, one of 7 sisters who were proclaimed to inspire.  While describing the newest consignment of Carnelian shell cameos my research pulled up that the enticing figure in this 4 cm oval shaped pendant framed in 18K gold could only be a muse, since the only deity of music was Apollo – a man ! THE MOUSAI (Muses) were the goddesses of music, song and dance, and the source of inspiration to poets.  Pierino Neri, the artist who carved this particular cameo, choose to use the contours of the shell and hand carve a lyre by her side instead of the more commonly found double flute.

The Bull mouth or Red Helmet sea shell, also known as the carnelian shell, were discovered to have layers of strongly contrasting colors and the shells were large enough to be perfect for carving cameos making them ideal for carving into cameos. The vivid colors and contours of the shell become are both the objective and the challenge that each artist is confronted with as they decide what image and how to portray it.

Our Eutrepe has fine details in her hair, the laurel wreath encircling her head and the folds of the gown.  It is quite impressive how the artists creates an entire story of time, beauty and depth while portraying only one element.

If a picture is worth a thousand words

If a picture is worth a thousand words then I can only imagine the story pouring out of  a hand carved cameo.   An artist will thoroughly study the shell – his or her canvas – to find the curves, bumps, nicks and dents that they need to incorporate in their image.  Then, much like Michelangelo insisted, they will free the story or object that is captured inside of the shell.

One of the newest additions to the Pierotucci Sardonyx Collection is this enthralling cameo, carved to use the shell at a unique angle – as a diamond shaped cameo exquisitely framed in 18K gold with a top hook to be worn as a pendant or a back clip, so that it doubles as a brooch.  The sardonyx seashell is defined by a thick outer layer and a dark brown interior.   In fact a finished sardonyx cameo will have a varying shades of brown in the background and a white foreground, closely resembling marble.  Sardonyx or what is most commonly known as Helmet shells have been used since the Roman Empire for everything from food to cooking pots, trumpets, and jewelry.

According to Homer and others, he was a son of Tros by Calirrhoë, and a brother of Ilus and Assaracus; being the most beautiful of all mortals, he was carried off by the gods that he might fill the cup of Zeus, and live among the eternal gods. (Hom. Il. xx. 231, &c.; Pind. Ol. 1. 44, xi. in fin.; Apollod. iii. 12. § 2.) The manner in which he was carried away from the earth is likewise differently described; for while Homer mentions the gods in general, later writers state that Zeus himself carried him off, either in his natural shape, or in the form of an eagle, or that he sent his eagle to fetch Ganymedes into heaven.  (source)

It appears that the artist of this delicate and unique cameo was inspired by the story of Zeus sending his eagle to carry off the young boy, and carved this image to depicting the fate of Ganymedes, surrounded by a flowing ribbon that frames the cameo within the 18K gold frame.

The Brits prefer a good Brindisi for the New Year along with elegance

So this is another dreamy New Years option from my British colleague and though she is a little more subdued in her choice of bling bling have choosen a more sophisticated and elegant black agate cameo to grace the simple lines of her tunic you can see she is ready to dance the night away.   She is quite the international person – a Brit living in Italy and drinking French Champagne for her New Years Brindisi – brindisi is the Italian word for a toast.

 

New Years Eve by naturalitalianwoman featuring gray handbags

Joseph keyhole dress
$502 - boutique1.com

K Yen knitted fur coat
£580 - farfetch.com

Party heels
$48 - modcloth.com

Salvatore Ferragamo gray handbag
$880 - stylebop.com

Armani Beauty Holiday Eyes To Kill Intense Eye Shadow Madreperla -1:…
$32 - barneys.com

Perfect Nude Brown Lipstick | Luxembourg – Ultra Luxe Lipstick With…
$15 - vasanticosmetics.com

ESTEE LAUDER Sensuous (Edp, 30ml)
£34 - harrods.com

Metallic Nails In Moonshine
£6 - topshop.com

Black Agate Stone Cameo of a young lady with flowers
€315 - pierotucci.com

Is there a difference: Swarovski Cystals or Elements

All that  glitters is gold except if you come from Wattens Austria, then all that glitters is Swarovski !

The plant founded in Wattens Austria in order to take advantage of local hydroelectricity for the energy-intensive grinding processes Daniel Swarovski patented to make his cut glass crystals has grown to produce some of the most beautiful jewelry around.  It is almost incredible to think how his small and humble beginning as the son of a glass cutter has now evolved into the word Swarovski being synonymous with cut crystal.

Nomination Necklace, Style CHIC

Just look at the depth and color that the crystal in this necklace offers, available in green, blue, purple and champagne colors it sparkles and reflects the hues of the rainbow while dangling at your neck.

Swarovski is one of the world’s largest crystal suppliers to jewelry manufacturers as well as to the clothing and lighting industries. Third party manufacturers, such as Nomination,  mark these products by attaching the branding label “MADE WITH SWAROVSKI ELEMENTS”, or by describing them as “made with Swarovski crystals”, or as “Crystallized™”.

Nomination Bracelet, Style BUTTERFLY with Swarovski butterfly

It should be noted however, these manufacturers may not refer to their products as Swarovski products.  Italian fashion jewelry designer Nomination has found a way to incorporate these Swarovski  CRYSTALLIZED™  into their women’s and men’s jewelry lines – adding an elegant but also youthful feel.   Nomination, an entirely Italian made fashion jewellery made with 18K gold, stainless steel and sterling silver offers trendy and whimsical designs, like the BUTTERFLY line.  Swarovski  CRYSTALLIZED™  elements and stainless steel mix to create a fun piece for young and old alike.

The ability to use these Swarovski Elements represents a new chapter in Swarovski’s history, the possibilty to have some glittering beauty at an affordable price.

Murano Glass in Miniature

Miniatures have been treasured throughout history for the detail, their size and their artistic expression, so it is no surprise when these micromosaics made from spun enamel glass, that they too would be treasured and collected.  Though this art was exemplified in the Byzantine times, then in Rome, there are very few creative studios that still produce them using the age old techniques that created incredible collections like those seen in London and the Hermitage in Russia.  In fact, Traversari is one of the few that still study and utilize the skills developed 100′s of years before to create original and beautiful works of art.

The miniature originally grew as a way to convey the story and meaning of the written word.  In fact, the art of miniature painting is directly connected to illustrations in books.  As time passed, the images were cut out of  books or documents so that they could be carried more easily.  From this came the idea of the “portable”  portrait miniature and artists were commissioned to paint small portraits – paintings that were used as we use wallet sized photographs today.

These micro mosaics made from Murano glass or enamel basically have the same idea – to make an image or memory portable – are made from sticks of glass and/or enamel or what they call wands – which look a bit like a squashed straw (about 30cm in length and about 1mm in thickness).  These sticks are then cut into little pieces (about 3mm high) and placed together to create an image such as a floral, a landscape of Roman ruins or a copy of other well known works of art.  It is an art of patience, carefully cutting the pieces and then compiling them to create an image.

The micro mosaic was born in Rome in the second half of the 1700′s when the decoration in the Basilica in Rome was nearing completion,  resulting in putting many mosaic craftsmen out of work.  These craftsmen returned to their own workshops and began to produce mini mosaics.  These works of art in fact quickly became popular with the tourists on the Grand Tour since there were easily packaged and carried home. Typical scenes were landscapes of Roman views and ruins, sometimes micromosaics were used as small panels  in furniture,  inlays on snuff boxes, framed images  or even as jewelry.

A distinctive feature of micromosaics is that the tesserae, which is the Italian name for the tiny elements of glass or enamel that make up the image,  are usually oblong rather than square.  Many images will also show tesserae which have more than one color in them, these pieces of Murano glass are actually a work of art in themselves. Amazing but beautiful, some of the best work can achieve 3,000 to 5,000 tesserae per square inch.

Vamos a la playa !

Sunday lunchtime we will be sitting in Cesena,  near the sandy beaches on the east coast of Italy cheering our favorite soccer team to victory.  The team we are playing this week is relatively young and energetic having made their first appearance in serie A in 1973 therefore they are eager to leave their mark among historic teams  such as the Fiorentina who has been playing serie A since 1931.

So today we are comparing the savvy, beaching going crowd of Cesena to the historic city dwellers of Florence.  Nomination, an Italian fashion brand that has catered to the younger crowd has produced several engaging bracelets for him and her using modern material like stainless steel and colored rubber bands. This design is modern and looks good with a casual style. The Nomination GROOVE bracelet is an international success story and to own a piece of Nomination jewelry is like being part of that success. Taking the simple rubber bracelet one step further, you can appreciate the genius behind the design. As well as the 3-way comfortable clasp which bears the Nomination logo, there is an unpolished black and white stainless steel plate topped with a polished plate again with the Nomination logo.  In addition, there is a small diamond giving the bracelet an individuality all of its own. Create your own sense of self expression and accessorize with your favourite tee shirt or something more formal. This bracelet will look great for any occasion.

Nomination Bracelet style GROOVE

Our historic city dwellers in Florence are more partial to the classic artisan work from Ponte Vecchio and look more to the traditional designs handed down from the Etruscan gold welders.  Giglio is the Italian word for lily flower and is the very famous symbol of Florence dating back to Roman times. It is emblazoned on walkways, walls, building and monuments and is a constant reminder of how Florence is steeped in tradition. Hand crafted in 18 carat gold, you can choose this enchanting piece in yellow, white or rose gold. Rose gold is becoming ever more popular and really enhances every perfect detail of this charming pendant.

18K Florentine Gold Pendant

Royal Wedding Charms by Nomination

Nomination has commemorated the March 2011 Royal Wedding of Prince William to Kate Middleton by creating a link charm modeled after the sapphire engagement ring previously worn by the late Princess Diana. 

This sapphire charm comes with three different kinds of accompanying pieces. You can choose from a antique crown, white crystal matrix, or hearts. As with any Nomination link bracelet the remaining links can be used for other additional charms. This way not only will the commemorative Royal Wedding charms be the centerpiece of your bracelet, but you will be able to add other symbols that capture your unique personality.

In addition to the commemorative bracelet, Nomination has also had a little bit of run with a mock ring, the stretch band makes this a one size fits all!

Sterling silver and stainless steel Special Edition Extension ring with Cubic Zirconia stones.

Nomination: What’s New and Popular

Unbeknown to most of our western visitors Pierotucci has a jewelry section that boasts some of Italy’s finest products such as: Shell carved cameos, 18k gold and silver filigree jewelry, as well as mosaics. We also firmly believe in supporting other Italian businesses that demonstrate a level of craftsmanship and world awareness. The charm company Nomination is one such company here in Florence. We regularly order Nomination pieces to not only promote the company, but also be able to offer our clientèle a more fun and affordable option.

Recently we have received a new collection by Nomination which includes earrings, bracelets, and necklaces. Much of this new collection uses brightly colored crystals, leather or metal banding/chains, with a fantasy themed centerpiece.

Many pieces like the Butterfly charm necklace are extremely popular with our Japanese clientèle, who gravitate toward light and playful nomination creations. Many Westerners, and mainly Americans, focus more on the classic Nomination charms, link bracelets, and edelweiss stud earrings. In accordance to these preferences we order many varieties of playful, somber, and classic styles from Nomination’s headquarters here in Florence.

We also stock many link charms that are signature to the Nomination line, though we are not able to display them on our online store. So, should you be vacationing soon in Italy, please email us to ask for our assistance to make sure you have our emporium on your itinerary enabling you to see our great selection of jewelry and charms.

Italian Cameos: The Difference in Color, Shape, and Design Unravelled

The Italian cameo is a longstanding member in the world of fine jewelry. The detail, rare materials, and elegance have made it a sought after item by centuries of royalty and nobility alike. Though the world of fashion has changed significantly since those times cameos still emanate a sense of luxury, and are a must for any fine jewelry collector. Cameos come in three different types of raw materials, and each material speaks about how the cameo was made, where it was made, and how valuable it is. Below is a description of the three main different kinds of cameos for the jewelry collector wanting a bit more info, or for the novice interested learning the basics. Cameos naturally are made out of many types of materials, though the three we have listed tend to be the most prevalent in the market.

Sardonyx Shell Cameos are the most rare and valuable of the three. This is for multiple reasons, however the most prevalent reason is that sardonyx shells grow at a very slow rate, and therefore the are not harvested in abundance. A limited number of sardonyx shell cameos are produced every year.

Sardonyx shells are also desirable due to their color pigmentation. Sardonyx has a pure white mid layer and a beautiful deep red to chocolate brown interior. This provides each cameo with striking color contrast, adding to its elegance. Both types of shell cameos are hand carved by artisans who have been specifically trained in one area of detail. This means that one artist has spent their working life trained to carve noses or hair while another is trained to carve flowers. Only a master carver has the experience and know how to carve a cameo in its entirety, therefore the majority of cameos on the market have gone threw an assembly line type process where multiple carvers add their expertise to every piece.

Cornelian Shell Cameos are more common as this type of shell grows much more rapidly, and is harvested on a regular basis. The majority of shell cameos are made using Cornelian shell. This shell coloring is different than Sardonyx. Cornelian shells tend to range from orange to pink hues, detracting from the amount of color contrast between the base colored part of the cameo to the carved out profile. Cornelian shells also have less white coloring between the layers, meaning that the profile or object being carved will not be a pure white like on Sardonyx shells. The object being carved will have a tinge of the orange or pink of the base of the shell. These two reasons are why Cornelian shell cameos are more widely seen and purchased.

Cornelian shell cameos are also created in the same way of Sardonxy shell cameos. The assembly line of artisans carve their expertise into every shell. There is however one major difference in the process that is attributed to Cornelian shell cameos that Sardonxy lack. The amount of layering in the carving of Cornelian shells cameos can include the top outside layer of the shell, mid layer for the profile, and the bottom base layer adding a level of complexity and hue to the overall beauty of the cameo.

Another determining factor in Cornelian cameo creation is the actual decision of while type of design is put on which piece of shell. Sardonyx shells are more uniform in nature, and therefore do not have as many natural rises and falls like a Cornelian shell. The layout of the shell becomes critical to which design in carved into it. For example, a shell with a large bump will tend to have a flower motif carved into the raised area instead of a profile. Profiles need to have a somewhat flat surface in order to be carved properly.

There are also many types of non shell cameos in the modern market. Many cameos can now be produced using semi-precious stones instead of fragile shells. Agate is one such stone that is commonly used in modern cameo production. This specific stone was selected for use due to its high white mineral content, allowing the profile and motifs to still have a white coloring. Agate can also come in a variety of different colors, allowing for a wider selection in color contrast.

The majority of all Agate is quarried in Northern Europe, and therefore differs from the shell versions which are harvested in the Caribbean and Mediterranean seas respectively. Also agate cameos cannot be carved by hand due to the hard nature of the stone. Agate stone cameos are cut using modern laser technology. This has both positive and negative repercussions for cameo enthusiasts. Negatively the agate cameo is not technically an artisan item, as it is made by machines, however this does allow a cameo to be exactly reproduced. The ability to perfectly reproduce popular designs gives consumers an increased availability of exactly what they want.

Another defining difference between stone cameos and shell cameos is the actual shape of the cameo. Shell cameos are convex in shape, allowing the design to protrude from the metal setting. Stone cameos being more uniform in nature are not convex but flat on the underside. They also lay flat within their settings.

The Italian art of cameo making

Cameo carving today is done on sea shells, either on the Sardonyx shell or Cornelian shell. Both are equally beautiful. The sardonyx shell is more brown, whereas the cornelian shell is of a more lighter, reddish color. Cameo has always meant every shell worked in relief, so the shell is carved from the front with the picture or profile in relief. Every shell cameo is unique and the skill needed to create these exquisite pieces is immense. There are workshops in Italy where each person will specialise in various aspects of the portrait. For example, one person might specialise in hair or hands, another in the nose. Obviously, this does not apply to the “master” carver: his hands manage to transform a piece of shell into an incredible sculpture and is a true collectable. Unfortunatly, because of the very nature of this painstaking work, this art is becoming a thing of the past, so owning a precious cameo becomes even more meaningful.