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Object Timeline

1938

  • We acquired this object.

2013

2025

  • You found it!

Drawing, Design for a watch chain and two bracelets

This is a Drawing. It was attributed to Augusto Castellani. It is dated ca. 1870 and we acquired it in 1938. Its medium is graphite, brush and pale yellow wash on white wove paper. It is a part of the Drawings, Prints, and Graphic Design department.

Castellani coined the term “Italian archeological jewelry” to appeal to the nineteenth-century fashion for revival styles and to profit from the growing nationalism that resulted from the unification of Italy in 1870. This sheet provides working designs for a watch chain and two bracelets. The bottom object has the inscription “VBI AMOR IBI ANIMA”, (where there is love, there is soul). Sentimental Latin phrases in raised gold frequently appear on Castellani objects from this period.

It is credited Museum purchase through gift of various donors and from Eleanor G. Hewitt Fund.

  • Bracelet (France)
  • gold, amethyst, leather and silk case.
  • Gift of Mrs. Sonia List.
  • 1983-89-1
  •

Our curators have highlighted 10 objects that are related to this one. Here are three of them, selected at random:

  • Egyptian Story Bangle Bracelet
  • carved pockwood, cut and polished turquoises and tsavorites, oxidized silver,....
  • Gift of Fiona Druckenmiller.
  • 2013-27-1
  •

Its dimensions are

23.8 x 18 cm (9 3/8 x 7 1/16 in.)

Cite this object as

Drawing, Design for a watch chain and two bracelets; Attributed to Augusto Castellani (Roman, 1829 - 1914); Italy; graphite, brush and pale yellow wash on white wove paper; 23.8 x 18 cm (9 3/8 x 7 1/16 in.); Museum purchase through gift of various donors and from Eleanor G. Hewitt Fund; 1938-88-6352

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

<ref name=CH>{{cite web |url=https://www-4.collection.cooperhewitt.org/objects/18548185/ |title=Drawing, Design for a watch chain and two bracelets |author=Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum |accessdate=9 March 2025 |publisher=Smithsonian Institution}}</ref>