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The nineteenth century Italian Castellani family is well known for its Archaeological jewellery, inspired by the Etruscan, Greek and Roman jewellers and their precious metalworking techniques. The firm was founded in 1814 by Fortunato Pio Castellani (1794-1865) and was continued by his sons, Augusto (1829-1914) and Alessandro (1823-1883), and by his grandson Alfredo until his death in 1930.
The Castellani rediscovered the ancient's gold granulation technique and used it in their jewels as well as intaglios and cameos, Egyptian scarabs and micro-mosaics. Their archaeological revival jewels quickly gained fame all over Europe through great exhibitions and influenced many other jewellers. They counted a prestigious clientele within the European aristocracy and high society and notably Napoleon III or Campana, director of the papal savings bank, renowned for his collection of antiquities.