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Object Timeline

1969

  • We acquired this object.

2015

2024

  • You found it!

Brooch (Italy), ca. 1898

This is a brooch. It was made by Fortunato Pio Castellani & Sons. It is dated ca. 1898 and we acquired it in 1969. Its medium is gold, sapphires, diamonds, rubies, emeralds. It is a part of the Product Design and Decorative Arts department.

The sapphires in this brooch are naturally blue. The largest is carved with a figure of Cybele or Isis (the personification of Italy), with which Castellani both referenced antiquity and celebrated Italy's reunification, which had occurred during the latter half of the 19th century.

This object was featured in our Object of the Week series in a post titled Patriotism through Historicism.

It is credited Museum purchase through gift of Anonymous Donor, Annie Schermerhorn Kane, and various donors.

  • Bracelet (Italy)
  • carved and polished limestone, gold sheet and wire.
  • Gift of Emily H. Chauncey.
  • 1955-93-1

Our curators have highlighted 6 objects that are related to this one. Here are three of them, selected at random:

  • Charity Brooch With Cameo
  • gold, sapphire.
  • Museum purchase through gift of Anonymous Donor, Annie Schermerhorn Kane, and....
  • 1969-40-44
  • Lovers in a Boat Brooch
  • gold, enamel, diamonds, sapphires, emeralds, rubies, pearls.
  • Museum purchase through gift of Anonymous Donor, Annie Schermerhorn Kane, and....
  • 1969-40-162
  • Necklace (Italy)
  • cast and woven gold, enamel, carved emeralds, pearls.
  • Museum purchase through gift of Anonymous Donor, Annie Schermerhorn Kane, and....
  • 1969-40-16

Its dimensions are

H x W x D: 7.2 x 4.5 x 1.3 cm (2 13/16 x 1 3/4 x 1/2 in.)

Cite this object as

Brooch (Italy), ca. 1898; Made by Fortunato Pio Castellani & Sons (Italy); gold, sapphires, diamonds, rubies, emeralds; H x W x D: 7.2 x 4.5 x 1.3 cm (2 13/16 x 1 3/4 x 1/2 in.); Museum purchase through gift of Anonymous Donor, Annie Schermerhorn Kane, and various donors; 1969-40-46

If you would like to cite this object in a Wikipedia article please use the following template:

<ref name=CH>{{cite web |url=https://collection.cooperhewitt.org/objects/18470905/ |title=Brooch (Italy), ca. 1898 |author=Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum |accessdate=25 April 2024 |publisher=Smithsonian Institution}}</ref>