Cipullo, Making Jewelry Modern, Assouline (book)

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Cipullo, Making Jewelry Modern, Assouline (book) Preface by Renato Cipullo, texts by Vivienne Becker. 2021. Linen hardcover with metal plate in a luxury slipcase. New 212-page book with 200 illustrations. 7.67 lbs. Dimensions: W 11 x L 14 x D 1.6 in.

Born in Naples in 1935 into a family of jewelers, Aldo Cipullo became the most glamorous jewelry designer of the 1970s and early 1980s. Aldo left Italy for the exhilarating opportunities of New York City life and enrolled at the School of Visual Arts. By 1960, he was working for the renowned society jeweler David Webb, renowned for his bold and expressive designs, before joining Tiffany & Co., where he began to develop his own style.

In 1969, he joined Cartier alongside Michael Thomas, the company’s president. At the height of his powers, he presented some of the most modern and timeless creations, such as the Love bracelet, a signature piece that fastened to the wrist with a special screwdriver. In 1971, he launched the Nail collection, inspired by a nail wrapped around the finger or wrist, a surprising creation that embodied the bold glamour of New York at the time.

Aldo Cipullo went out on his own in 1974, continuing to create head-turning jewelry for men and women, including dollar-shaped coins, which he considered “the electric eye that reflects the mood of this country.” In 1978, the American Gem Society commissioned him to create a collection of American-mined stones, such as Arizona turquoise, Arkansas diamonds, and Montana sapphires; these pieces are now part of the Smithsonian Institution. Despite his sudden death in 1984, Aldo Cipullo’s legacy of both avant-garde and classic creations remains timeless.

Feel free to check out the additional photos at the top left, thank you!

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