This magnificent Castellani jewel was made somewhere around 1870 and 1880 in, what is called, the Castellani's "Periodo Moderno", a period in which Castellani's master goldsmith and designer Michelangelo Caetani, was strongly focussed on designing micro mosaic jewelry with Greek and Latin text.
Details:

Country of origin: Italy

Era/Period: Victorian, circa 1880s

Condition: excellent condition

Source of inspiration: Pompeii excavation - ancient city in southwestern Italy (destroyed in 79 A.D. by the eruption of Mount Vesuvius)

Theme: EY - Although not obvious on first sight, these are not Latin but Greek letters. The letters EY stand for "good health" but one could also say it's the abbreviation for "Eternally Yours".

Material: 18K yellow gold

Monogram: Castellani (see pictures for the famous Castellani hallmark - two mirrored C's)

Hallmarks: None, besides the Castellani sign

Dimensions: diameter 0.94 inch

Weight: 7.40 gram

Reference Nº: 12131-0068

Fortunato Pio Castellani (6 May 1794 - 1 January 1865) was a 19th century Italian jeweller and founder of Castellani, an Italian jewellery company. Castellani opened his first shop in Rome in 1814. He specialised in recreating the jewellery of ancient craftsmen, particularly the Etruscans. Castellani based many of his designs directly on archaeological evidence and often incorporated intaglios, cameos and micromosaics into his jewellery. His work became very fashionable throughout 19th century Europe and his shop was frequented by grand tourists and aristocracy. The Castellani dynasty spanned three generations, and were also noted antiquarians.

Antique and Vintage Jewelry
Antique Jewelry