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Price range: Sold
A rare example of the work of Giacinto Melillo dating from around 1900. Giacinto Melillo was Castellani’s workshop manager from 1865 and attributed with making many of his finest pieces of jewellery. Around 1885 Melillo established his own independent business in Naples making similar revivalist classical pieces. The design of this dish is probably based on an original Etruscan or Roman piece in bronze or pottery. The snake has inset turquoise eyes with a gilt or gold ring around the neck. The piece is of an exceptionally heavy gauge of silver which is typical of Melillo’s other known works.
Maker: Giacinto Melillo, Italy
Designer: Giacinto Melillo, Italy
Date : c 1900
Marks: G. Melillo, Naples
Material: Sterling silver (not tested)
Condition: Excellent, although surface patina shows considerable scratching
Size: 15cm wide
Weight : 567 grams, 20 oz
See G Munn, Castellani and Giuliano. The British Museum holds a gold Etruscan revival bracelet by Giacinto Melillo ref M&ME Hull Grundy Catalogue 959. The Metropolitan Museum, New York holds a classically inspired silver jug by Melillo ref 2006.381.
