Jewels from the Past at Tarì
An exhibition and a cultural project seal the collaboration between Il Tarì Goldsmith Center and Pompeii Archaeological Park. “Ornamenta” will be staged from 5th to 14th May
Of all the exhibits in an archaeological museum, those that arouse the most amazement are always the precious jewels, which, due to their shapes, lines and techniques, often appear to be the forerunners of contemporary styles. Investigating this close relationship between the jewelry of the past and present, Il Tarì Goldsmith Center and Pompeii Archaeological Park have come up with the cultural project “Ornamenta: The Jewels of Campania from Pompeii to present day”. The partnership foresees that, on the one hand, Il Tarì will be responsible for enhancing, preserving and examining a number of artefacts found in Pompeii, and on the other, that the Park will support the organization of an exhibition and a training course for students at the goldsmith school.
The first opportunity to admire the results of this project will be the exhibition scheduled from 5th to 14th May at Il Tarì during Open, a BtoB trade show event with about 500 exhibitors comprising 400 Tarì companies and 100 guest companies, including some major international brands. The exhibition will only be open to the public on 13th and 14th May for the benefit of archaeology, jewelry and art enthusiasts, who will be able to enjoy a first-hand look at about one hundred or so objects dated between the 1st millennium BC and the 1st century AD, all coming from the Campania region, therefore not only from Pompeii but also from other excavation sites in the Vesuvius area. To provide a more optimal usability, from 5th to 13th May, the exhibition will only be accessible to exhibitors and visitors attending Open and il Tarì, offering the chance for jewelry sector operators and “ornamenta” experts to compare notes.
The second part of the project dedicated to training the future generations of master goldsmiths will also be presented during the days of the show through a series of lessons, organized by Pompeii Archaeological Park, focusing on ancient metalworking techniques and the jewelry uncovered. At the end of the training course, the students will be asked to put their creativity to the test by making an item of jewelry inspired by those of the past. What is produced will then be auctioned off and the proceeds will contribute to an excavation and research campaign into Campania's cultural heritage.
Commenting on the recently established collaboration with Il Tarì, the Director of Pompeii Archaeological Park, Gabriel Zuchtriegel, said: «The archaeological heritage, but also the intangible heritage of ancient traditions and knowledge, represent a value that makes Pompeii and Campania unique in the world. Through this project, we want to share the knowledge of ancient goldsmithing techniques with those who work in this sector, so that new generations of goldsmiths will be aware of the cultural wealth that, thanks to archaeology, this area can still express in the most varied sectors, from art to agriculture and craftsmanship.»
Vincenzo Giannotti, President of Il Tarì Goldsmith Center and co-promoter of Ornamenta, also commented on the initiative: «I have long thought that there might be a gene in the DNA of our jewelers that originated in the distant past and has been passed down through the centuries to modern generations. This occasion offers an opportunity to trace a thread of continuity between past and present and to highlight the profound bond that the extraordinary art of Neapolitan jewelry-making has with the equally extraordinary territory that hosts it.»
The first opportunity to admire the results of this project will be the exhibition scheduled from 5th to 14th May at Il Tarì during Open, a BtoB trade show event with about 500 exhibitors comprising 400 Tarì companies and 100 guest companies, including some major international brands. The exhibition will only be open to the public on 13th and 14th May for the benefit of archaeology, jewelry and art enthusiasts, who will be able to enjoy a first-hand look at about one hundred or so objects dated between the 1st millennium BC and the 1st century AD, all coming from the Campania region, therefore not only from Pompeii but also from other excavation sites in the Vesuvius area. To provide a more optimal usability, from 5th to 13th May, the exhibition will only be accessible to exhibitors and visitors attending Open and il Tarì, offering the chance for jewelry sector operators and “ornamenta” experts to compare notes.
The second part of the project dedicated to training the future generations of master goldsmiths will also be presented during the days of the show through a series of lessons, organized by Pompeii Archaeological Park, focusing on ancient metalworking techniques and the jewelry uncovered. At the end of the training course, the students will be asked to put their creativity to the test by making an item of jewelry inspired by those of the past. What is produced will then be auctioned off and the proceeds will contribute to an excavation and research campaign into Campania's cultural heritage.
Commenting on the recently established collaboration with Il Tarì, the Director of Pompeii Archaeological Park, Gabriel Zuchtriegel, said: «The archaeological heritage, but also the intangible heritage of ancient traditions and knowledge, represent a value that makes Pompeii and Campania unique in the world. Through this project, we want to share the knowledge of ancient goldsmithing techniques with those who work in this sector, so that new generations of goldsmiths will be aware of the cultural wealth that, thanks to archaeology, this area can still express in the most varied sectors, from art to agriculture and craftsmanship.»
Vincenzo Giannotti, President of Il Tarì Goldsmith Center and co-promoter of Ornamenta, also commented on the initiative: «I have long thought that there might be a gene in the DNA of our jewelers that originated in the distant past and has been passed down through the centuries to modern generations. This occasion offers an opportunity to trace a thread of continuity between past and present and to highlight the profound bond that the extraordinary art of Neapolitan jewelry-making has with the equally extraordinary territory that hosts it.»
