Giuliano
from the Antique Jewelry University
GIULIANO (ca. 1860 - 1914)
Italian goldsmith known for work in the tradition of Castellani. Carlo Giuliano’s ties to Castellani are highly disputed. Some jewellery historians claim that Giuliano apprenticed with the firm and that he “accompanied Alessandro Castellini to London [in 1862] with the intention of managing the latter’s firm at 13 Frith Street.”[1] Others claim that this connection “is entirely hypothetical, [and] in fact unlikely” as Giuliano is never mentioned in Augusto Castellani’s memoirs.[2] Yet others suggest that Giuliano and Alessandro Castellani met each other in London and that Giuliano’s store, which he opened in 1874, was an outlet for pieces produced in Naples at Alessandro’s workshop.[3] Whatever the right story is, what is undisputed is that Giuliano produced exceptional neo-Renaissance and archaeological revival jewellery. The firm's work attracted the attention of a handsome clientele, including King Edward VII as well as Queen Victoria and Alexandra. Family tradition indeed has it that “Queen Alexandra’s pearl chokers were entrusted to Giuliano for cleaning and restringing.” [4] When Carlo Giuliano died (1895), the business was handed down from father to sons, remaining open until 1914.
Notes
Sources Consulted
- Soros, Susan Weber & Stefanie Walker, ed. Castellani and Italian Archaeological Jewelry. New Haven: Yale University Press, 2004. ISBN 0300104618
- Munn, Geoffrey C. Castellani and Giuliano: Revivalist Jewellers of the 19th Century. New York: Rizzoli, 1983. ISBN 0847805271
- Ogden, Jack. 'Revivers of the Lost Art: Alessandro Castellani and the Quest for Classical Precision. In Castellani and Italian Archaeological Jewelery, ed. Stefanie Walker Susan Weber Soros, 180-198. New Haven: Yale University Press, 2004. ISBN 0300104618
- Bennett, David & Daniela Mascetti. Understanding Jewellery. Suffolk, England: Antique Collectors' Club, 1989. ISBN 1851494308 (3rd edition, 2007)