Yahoo Movies Artisans Have Been Creating Gold Jewelry Here for More Than 700 Years
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On Lisa Bridge’s first visit to Vicenza, Italy, she observed a craftsman rhythmically hammering a gold bangle to create a rippling texture. “Watching his movements and hearing the gentle patter on the gold gave the jewelry more meaning,” says Bridge, who years later is still mesmerized by the city’s jewelry artisans. It’s a centuries-old tradition passed from one generation to the next here in Italy’s goldsmithing capital for the past 700 years.
The trade was also passed down to Bridge, 33, who is the fifth generation to lead Ben Bridge Jeweler, the Seattle-based retailer founded by her great-grandfather in 1912. On the company’s 110th anniversary, Bridge invited ELLE DECOR along on her annual visit to the Veneto region’s jewelry ateliers. Here, she and her buyer collaborate with small family-owned workshops on Toscano, the store’s signature gold collection.
When we arrive in Vicenza, about an hour’s drive from Venice, our first stop is the Museo del Gioiello, the country’s only jewelry museum. Situated in the city’s stunning medieval square and housed inside in the 16th-century Basilica Palladiana, designed by revered Renaissance architect Andrea Palladio, the museum features a rotating exhibition space designed by Patricia Urquiola. It traces Italy’s rich jewelry history, from antique pieces like the gilded Crown of Madonna, circa 1900, to modern gold designs from Roberto Coin and Marco Bicego—even avant-garde creations by Ettore Sottsass and Cleto Munari.
Vicenza’s goldsmithing story begins in 1333, the year the first goldsmith’s guild was founded inside the Basilica Palladiana arcade. Over the centuries this historic city has remained Italy’s gold capital, with thousands of artisans still training in the old-world techniques, combined today with technological advancements to create contemporary designs that retain a handmade feel.
A visit to Resole’s workshop, a family-owned atelier with about 12 artisans who create Bridge’s gold chains and earrings, illustrates that blend of the old and new. Gold pieces are 3D-printed before being assembled and painstakingly hand-finished by artisans who etch, hammer, and sand gold links, bangles, and earrings. Their craft is showcased twice a year at the International Vicenza Gold Fair, where designers, artisans, and brands display the country’s jewelry prowess for retailers from around the world. “There’s a difference in the way handmade gold jewelry looks and feels,” says Bridge. “The craftsmanship is imbued with years of experience, innovation, and dedication.”
The next day, it’s off to Bassano del Grappa, a medieval town in the foothills of the Italian Alps where grappa was invented. Gold happens to be its second biggest export; scattered among the wine producers are small, family-run ateliers producing handmade jewelry. One of the premiere workshops is Tre Esse, founded in 1987 by Gabriella Sandri, whose three daughters now help run the family business. Tre Esse’s designs begin with detailed sketches, brought to life in collaboration with model makers who use 3D mock-ups to ensure each piece is lightweight and drapes comfortably. In a small family business, nothing is left to chance: Sandri gives each piece a final inspection before it is packed and shipped.
After the workshop tour, it’s time for a family lunch at the local restaurant. “Part of the Italian experience is always around the meal and wine,” says Bridge. In both Bassano del Grappa and Vicenza, that family spirit and the city’s heritage enrich the product. That’s what keeps the jewelry tradition still thriving here. It’s about so much more than gold.
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