A gold, aluminium and gem-set paperknife by Castellani,
in the form of a Roman dagger,
the hilt of coiled gold set with a large lobed baroque pearl
and cabochon rubies,
the aluminium blade decorated with inlaid gold.
Circa 1850
Length 32.8 cm
Castellani’s use of aluminium in the production of this piece indicates how prized the metal was at the time.
It was discovered in 1827 but extraction was incredibly expensive, until H. Saint-Claire Deville
developed a process for producing aluminium industrially in 1854. This had a swift effect on the metal’s cost,
falling from 3,000 francs per kilogramme in 1855 to 375 francs per kilogramme a year later.
Literature:
For a similar example see Munn, G.C. Castellani and Giuliano,
London, 1984, p164 plate 72
For additional information regarding the above piece please contact Wartski