Product Description
Our View
Ornella Bijoux’s bottega is a treasure trove of bracelets, necklaces, earrings, and rings accumulated over many decades. Each piece is a labour of love, a by-product of the curiosity and talent of Maria Vittoria Albani, creative director and artisan-maker of the business.
She allows history, art movements, and nature to talk to her mind’s eye, and to her heart that time and again guides the process from idea to the fruit of her craft.
Perhaps the ring’s snake-motif may not appeal to everyone; but for our artisan the stealth nature of her subject seems to have captured her imagination. Indeed, this often demonised earth bound creature is a symbol of goodness, healing, transformation and a new beginning.
Some say that “good things come in small packages”. In this instance, we think it does as Maria’s handmade coral serpent-motif ring is a standout piece in a cluttered world of costume jewellery.
About the Designer
Ornella by Maria Vittoria Albani
In the heart of Milan, a small studio founded in 1944 is where Maria Vittoria Albani, creative director of Ornella Bijoux makes splendidly unusual costume jewellery. Petite, elegant, and with a disarming smile Maria’s many creations speak to traditions, as well to that remarkable Italian style synonymous with whispering design and an understated elegance to which we willingly succumb.
Made by hand in a plethora of materials – ceramics, woods, gold or silver painted bronze, enamelled metals, resins, sparkling crystals, Venetian glass, and semi-precious stones – every single necklace, bracelet, ring, and pair of earrings is shaped via meticulous craftsmanship using techniques and methods ordained by the “haute couture” of artisanal jewellers.
Informed by the surreal beauty of Mother Nature, and drawn to abstract art and geometric design Ornella Bijoux masters the fine balance between style, fantasy and limitless colour combinations. Fashion’s fickle trends, while taking note of them do not distract Maria Vittoria from her tried and true “recipe” of imbuing every item with that unmistakable original Italian touch giving each a long shelf life. Indeed, every piece that bears the Ornella Bijoux insignia is guaranteed to grow in beauty with the passing of years.
