Brand Guide
Castellani
Founded 1814 · Rome
Signature Collections
Etruscan Revival
1850s-1880sThis is absolute historical royalty. The Castellani family literally rediscovered the lost ancient art of granulation—fusing tiny gold spheres without solder. Nobody else was doing this at the time.
Authentication Guide
Hallmarks
- ◆Signed with the famous intertwined 'CC' monogram.
- ◆Occasionally just stamped 'CASTELLANI'. Papers aren't a thing here; the gold speaks for itself.
What to Look For
- ✓The granulation. We're talking microscopic gold spheres perfectly fused to the surface without pooling solder. It requires insane skill.
- ✓The gold color is often a rich, high-karat matte 'Etruscan' finish, achieved through chemical depletion gilding.
Red Flags
- ✗Visible blobs of solder holding the 'granules' together. Real granulation is colloidal—no visible solder.
- ✗Modern bright 14k gold color. It completely misses the aesthetic.
Price Ranges
Best value era: Mid-to-late 19th Century
What Dealers Look For
You are buying jewelry that's in the V&A and the Met. It doesn't get more prestigious for 19th-century collecting.
Bring a loupe. If the granulation looks like it was glued on or you see obvious solder, put it down and walk away.
Don't polish it! I can't stress this enough. The patina and matte finish are integral to the value.
Micromosaics by Castellani are also incredible, but look closely for missing tesserae (the tiny glass tiles).
Because the technique was nearly impossible to replicate perfectly, a true Castellani piece serves as its own authentication.
Frequently Asked Questions
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