A renaissance revival antique necklace by Carlo and Arthur Giuliano, set with amethysts in an openwork foliate black and white enamel design. Length = 39cm.
Carlo Giuliano, an Italian jeweller, moved to London in 1860 and established his workshop in Soho, producing exquisite revivalist jewellery inspired by historical designs. Likely influenced by Roman jeweller Castellani, Giuliano blended Etruscan, Roman, Egyptian, and Renaissance motifs with contemporary craftsmanship, creating pieces that celebrated the past while innovating for the present.
Although Giuliano initially sold through prominent dealers like C.F. Hancock and Robert Phillips, he opened his own shop in Piccadilly in 1874. His clients included the British Royal family, who commissioned custom pieces, and notable artists of the time, such as Pre-Raphaelites Sir Lawrence Alma-Tadema and Sir Edward Burne-Jones.
Giuliano’s emphasis on artistry over materials earned him a loyal following. After his death in 1895, his sons, Carlo Joseph and Arthur Alphonse, continued the business until its closure in 1914. Today, Giuliano’s timeless designs, like the iconic fringe necklace, are celebrated for their meticulous craftsmanship and historical inspiration, with many preserved in museums like the Victoria and Albert Museum in London.