: More than 250 examples of gold jewelry and related material from
the Nineteenth Century Roman workshop of jeweler Fortunato Pio
Castellani and his sons, Alessandro and Augusto, are currently on
display in "Castellani and Italian Archaeological Jewelry." The
comprehensive exhibition is on view through February 5 at the
Bard Graduate Center (BCG).
The family's forte was the copying and adaptation of ancient
Greek, Etruscan and Roman pieces, but Castellani work often
rivaled or even surpassed that of the classical period. The
skillful inclusion of cameos, intaglios or micromosaic
compositions as colored ornament on brooches, necklaces and
bracelets continued the antique theme.
Four years in the making, the landmark show has a formidable list
of lenders, including the National Etruscan Museum at the Villa
Giulia in Rome, the British Museum and the Louvre. After its only
American stop in New York, the exhibition will travel to the
Villa Giulia and Somerset House in London.
