Wednesday, February 13, 2013

Antique bracelet by old Italian silversmith




The hallmark on this bracelet I found was in use only from 1934-1944. The 2 numbers on the left (15) are registered to the silversmith, the center is the Italian Fascist party symbol and the 2 initials are for the Province that the silversmith lived in. The oval contains the purity degree of the silver which is 800 or sometimes referred to as coin silver.1934-1944 Italian Bracelet by Giovanni Battista Grasso, Genova Italy. It has been brought it back to life with a little repair and cleaning and a little help from friends! The safety chain was broken, a jump ring on one of the round links was broken off. The cameo was worn beyond recognition, so it was replaced with lapis lazuli by Colin Wilkinson a seasoned stone setter I work with at the jewelry manufacturing facility in Richmond Virginia, and it looks fabulous. I have decided to make it a gift for someone special. I designed a card to go with the bracelet which gives a bit of historical value to the piece.

So far I have only found one bracelet that remotely resembles it. Has anyone out there seen a similar bracelet or know of one crafted by Giovanni Battista Grasso in Italy ? He, apparently went out of business between 1955-1971.

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