Castellani jewelry collection travels from Villa Giulia to Fondazione Rovati Milan

For the first time, the Castellani jewelry collection leaves Rome's Museo Nazionale Etrusco di Villa Giulia for a major exhibition at Fondazione Rovati in Milan. The show presents over 6,000 pieces spanning ancient Etruscan artifacts to 19th-century archaeological-style jewels created by the Castellani family. Founded by Fortunato Pio Castellani in 1814, the workshop became famous for reviving ancient goldsmith techniques like filigree and granulation, inspired by finds from Cerveteri, Pompeii, and Herculaneum. The family collaborated with Duke Michelangelo Caetani, who introduced the double-C monogram and iconic designs such as micromosaic bracelets and the palindrome "AMO ROMA" brooch. The exhibition is structured in six thematic sections: Masterpieces, Goldsmithing, the Feminine Universe, Trade, the Myth of Heracles, and the Castellani family history. It also features contemporary works by Chiara Camoni. Among the highlights are a gold bracelet with a micromosaic night butterfly referencing Cupid and Psyche, and a brooch with an engraved quartz by Luigi Pichler. The collection was donated to Villa Giulia in 1919 by Alberto Castellani and in 1930 by Alfredo Castellani.