Etruscan Treasures. The Castellani Collection between History and Fashion

The exhibition Etruscan Treasures. The Castellani Collection between History and Fashion kicks off Fondazione’s autumn program on the 25th of October. Realised in collaboration with Villa Giulia’s Museo Nazionale Etrusco (National Etruscan Museum) in Rome, the exhibit brings to Milan the most important archaeological finds and the amazing jewelry belonging to the Castellani Collection, one of the most prestigious and rich Roman antiquities collections.

The hosting of the most important collection of Villa Giulia’s Museo Nazionale Etrusco, never displayed in its entirety, is the result of the collaboration between a private and a public organization, both committed to enhance the Etruscan legacy and the history of collecting which developed around it.

The activity of Fortunato Pio Castellani and his sons Alessandro and Augusto, renowned goldsmiths, collectors and antiquarians, is tied to the season of the great archaeological finds in the areas formerly inhabited by the Etruscan and Italic populations. The family start and develop an intense work of collecting artifacts and promote their exchange across the Peninsula, spurred on by a mix of historical interest, research demands, national identity and international trade.

The exhibition offers an in-depth analysis of the history of the Castellani family, detailing how the goldsmith’s shop launched the antique jewelry fashion; it also recounts the history of the extraordinary collection gathered over the years and partly donated to the Villa Giulia’s Museum in 1919 and partly scattered across cultural institutes around the world.

More than eighty artifacts coming from Rome will join the Art Museum permanent collection in a process of contamination which follows Fondazione's exhibition strategy. The six sections forming the exhibit display numerous examples of antique jewelry next to their faithful Eighteenth century reproductions, such as the gold Achelous head pendant; attic ceramics, like the kylix attributed to the Phrynos Painter; and mediterranean ceramics, like the Caeretan hydria attributed to the Eagle Painter.

The exhibition has a free extension as well: in the garden Pavilion it will be possible to learn about the history of the Castellani family and its members in the historical and cultural context of the time.

The Poldi Pezzoli Museum in Milan holds in its collection a precious demi-parure with cabochon turquoise and gold necklace and earrings made by Bottega Castellani for Rosina Trivulzio.

With the exhibition ticket, it is possible to gain access at a reduced price to the Poldi Pezzoli Museum (€10, instead of €14) where you can discover the permanent collection and the ongoing exhibition White Gold. Three Centuries of Ginori Porcelain. Conversely, with the Poldi Pezzoli Museum ticket, access to the art museum is discounted.

INFORMATION

Etruscan Treasures. The Castellani Collection between history and fashion
October 25, 2023 - March 3, 2024

Fondazione Luigi Rovati
Art Museum - Corso Venezia 52, Milan
www.fondazioneluigirovati.org