Le perle rosse di Sardegna nei gioielli Castellani a Villa Giulia – The Red Pearls of Sardinia in Castellani Jewelry at Villa Giulia

By (author) Enrico Butini By (author) Flavio Butini

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Extent: 140 pages

Publisher: L’ERMA di Bretschneider

Subjects: Mediterranean Archaeology

Series: Bibliotheca Archaeologica

Series volume number: 95

Language: Italian

Hardback (Forthcoming)

(July 2028)

ISBN: 9788891338303

8.465 x 11.22 inches

Price: $150.00

In January 1919, Alfredo Castellani, the last descendant of the most important dynasty of 19th-century Roman goldsmiths (Fortunato Pio, Augusto and Alessandro Castellani), donated an exceptional collection of archaeological artifacts and 19th-century works to the Italian State.

The bequest, the result of almost a century of the Castellani family’s work, comprised numerous archaeological finds (5,145 items including marbles, bronzes, ceramics, ivories and glass) as well as a substantial collection of jewelry produced by the family (1,175 pieces) and 92 gemstones, including carvings and scarabs. In accordance with the terms of the will, the entire collection is now on display in the galleries of the prestigious National Etruscan Museum at Villa Giulia.

In recent years, within this context, IGN Rome has been commissioned to study and analyze all the gemological materials set in the jewelry on display or held in the museum’s storerooms.

This study is devoted exclusively to the gemological investigation of a rare and distinctive material, never before used in the field of fine jewelry: the red pearls of Pinna nobilis. The research examines not only the gemological aspects, but also the historical and literary evidence, the fishing grounds and the ancient trade routes associated with this precious material.

Today, we admire the coves and inlets of Sardinia (La Maddalena, Palau, Punta Sardegna with Porto Rafael, Porto Pozzo and Porto Pollo), appreciating their extraordinary scenic beauty, often unaware that their crystal-clear waters once harbored lush Posidonia seagrass meadows, amongst which the now rare ‘nacchere’ (Pinna nobilis) found refuge.

Finally, we hope to see the strict enforcement of the regulations designed to protect this species, which is, unfortunately, now seriously threatened and at risk of extinction.

  • By (author) Enrico Butini
  • By (author) Flavio Butini