Franco Cannilla (Italian, 1911–1985), designer, Mario Masenza (Italian, 1913–1985), maker, Bracelet, 1950–1970, gold, diamonds

Audio Description

Designed between 1950 and 1970 by Italian Franco Cannilla, who lived from 1911-1985, this necklace was made in Mario Masenza’s workshop, an Italian, who lived from 1913-1985.

This bracelet is made up of seven yellow gold links that have a matte finish. Each link is individually misshapen but has a round or slightly oblong shape with a central mass or bar across it. Each end is open like a doughnut, allowing the links to attach to each other. The links are each scattered with differently sized but small faceted diamonds and the links are textured allover.

Label Copy

Designed between 1950 and 1970 by Italian Franco Cannilla, who lived from 1911-1985, this necklace was made in Mario Masenza’s workshop, an Italian, who lived from 1913-1985.

Although this bracelet looks heavy, the individual links are hollow, making it lightweight on the wrist. It might also appear cumbersome because the links resemble those of a ship’s anchor chain, which are often constructed with a central bar across each oval. Each segment is unique, intimately revealing the maker’s hand.

Cannilla made multiple versions of this piece, each different from the other, each with singularly distinct links. In this bracelet, he refrained from polishing the gold surface and used texture to individuate the sections. The result is a tortured, beaten appearance, much like a weather-worn anchor chain. Small, variously sized diamonds are scattered across the surface, making the piece more precious.

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