Castellani jewels, the Etruscans and the Roman Mosaic Industry

摘要

A party of about 22, including many members of the SJH, spent five days in Rome from 17 to 21 October in shirt-sleeve weather on a jewellery tour organized personally by Amanda Triossi (ex Sotheby's London), using the services of a local cultural tour firm. Participants were drawn from Italy, France, Belgium, Switzerland, Sweden, Ireland, Britain and (despite 11 September) four pairs of bright eyes arrived from the USA.The programme concentrated on the Roman firm founded by Fortunato Pio Castellani. The party had a memorable morning in the deconsecrated church of St Eligio (patron saint of goldsmiths) in the Via Giulia, which serves as the headquarters of the Italian Goldsmiths' Guild, where Museo Giulia curators introduced them by slide shows to both Castellani's work and the Etruscan, ancient Roman and medieval work which he emulated. In the afternoon these morning lectures came to life when the objects they referred to were inspected during a tour of the Museo Giulia. By some extraordinary chance the party met Clare Phillips of the V&A metalwork Department on a private visit with her husband and small son. Could you blame her for leaving child with spouse, and joining the party for an hour at the Castellani cabinets?