"Choosing the items to display in Vicenza's Museo del Gioiello was governed by a cross-fertilization between the western and eastern worlds because I believe that it is in diversities and differences that one is able to progress, even in such an apparently futile field as jewellery, which is, instead, the result of work, culture, religion and symbols. The choice began from fibulas, because, as an art historian and archaeologist, I am extremely fond of the 7th and 6th century B.C."
"Choosing the items to display in Vicenza's Museo del Gioiello was governed by a cross-fertilization between the western and eastern worlds because I believe that it is in diversities and differences that one is able to progress, even in such an apparently futile field as jewellery, which is, instead, the result of work, culture, religion and symbols. The choice began from fibulas, because, as an art historian and archaeologist, I am extremely fond of the 7th and 6th century B.C."
Jewellery is often considered useless, opulent and with no other function than to be decorative. The functional jewellery pieces we present here show the opposite. The jewellery selected by Alessandra Possamai are all functional items transformed into jewels, and they perfectly embody the tastes of their particular period, as well as the materials and techniques used, making them dazzling evidence of other times
Fibula
Cologna Veneta, Baldaria, Verona, necropolis – cremation tomb, pre-Roman, 7th century B.C. cast bronze
2.2 x 6.4 cm
Museo Civico Archeologico, Cologna Veneta
The fibula is decorated with three small crouching monkeys, their front paws on their muzzle, distributed across the bow in an iconographic arrangement noted during the Orientalising era (7th century B.C.).
Fibula - Regno di Buthan
Kingdom of Bhutan, Asia, early 20th century
silver, turquoise
22 x 18 cm
Roberta Ceolin collection
These fibulae are used to hold the kira, the traditional robes worn by the women of Bhutan.
Cinturone
Cologna Veneta, Baldaria,Verona, necropolis, pre-Roman period, second half 7th-6th century B.C.
bronze, foil, engraving
32 x 10 cm
Museo Civico Archeologico, Cologna Veneta
The belt has two fixing holes on the end, where the foil is folded. At the centre, nine spirals are connected by oblique lines, and there is a pattern of birds in the spaces. On the far right there is the solar wheel, with the sun chariot on the left, both pulled by two pairs of birds. This is an ornament for women of Etruscan-Villanovan derivation; prestigious
objects, for the lothing of people of high social status.
Pettine
Orissa, India, early 19th century
bronze
c. 5 x 5 cm
Roberta Ceolin collection
A comb to fix the hair which was also a symbol of courtship.
Anello
Italy, 1960
red copper
23 x 13 mm
Collection of the Grande Oriente d’Italia Massoneria di Rito Scozzese Antico ed Accettato, acronym G:.O:.I:.R:.S:.A:.A:.
The ring depicts the two-headed eagle in the upper part, symbol of the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite.
Spilla - Penna
Quill-brooch, Padua, 2016
silver, macaw feather
14 cm
Collection of the author
Pen brooch, an object that can be used to adorn a jacket but also be used as a writing instrument.
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