Colier Ambriachi to the spouses

Plaques from the Ambriachi workshops, Venice, early 15th century.
Bone.
Silver mounting and creation of Aryna for our gallery.

Baldassare Ambriachi, a Florentine merchant and sculptor, was the founder of the famous "Ambriachi" workshop. It was he who initiated the production of beautiful bone and ivory boxes throughout northern Italy, from the late 14th to the 15th century. The boxes were used not only as containers for precious goods, but also as symbolic gifts to seal the nuptial commitment. They are a combination of medieval and Renaissance elements and the story is particularly articulate as it interprets the narrative rhythm of the "Italian novella". In addition to this theme, the boxes often reproduced legendary episodes from classical antiquity. Thus, Baldassare initiated the spread of workshops specialising in ivory and bone throughout Italy.