~ Cini ~

Founded by Gugliemo Cini in 1922, the Cini company has long been associated with intricate jewelry, primarily in sterling silver, and all of splendid quality.  The designs display strong classical and renaissance influence, undoubtedly inspired by the rich art and architecture of Gugliemo Cini's native country, Italy.  Some pieces were reproductions of antique fine jewelry but most were original designs.  A variety of techniques were used,  including solid cast pieces, repoussé and filigree, and a few pieces were gold plated. Production ceased in the 1970s and Gugliemo Cini died in 1979, but family members produced a few pieces from his original designs in the 1990s.

St George & the Dragon Brooch	Cherries Brooch & Earrings	Ornate Key Brooch	Theatrical Masks

Regal motifs are popular in Cini jewelry, as are cherubs and mythical creatures.

Cherubs & Urn Brooch	Crowned Eagle Brooch	Mythical Beasts Brooch	Greenman & Beasts

Realism is the key to many of the Cini designs, even the simpler, less fanciful ones like these fruit and floral pieces.

Apples Brooch	Grapes Brooch	Raspberries & Blossoms Brooch (huge)	Poppy Brooch

Amethyst Rhinestone Brooch	Aqua Leaflet Wreath Brooch	Baroque Aqua Brooch & Earrings	Picture Frame Brooch

One of the most popular series from Cini were the Zodiac pieces depicting the astrological signs in wondrous detail.  The designs themselves aptly represent the nature or quality of the various signs - bolder, simpler designs for the strong signs like Aries and intricate, ornate stylizing for gentler signs like Aquarius.  The Zodiac designs were used for a variety of pieces including brooches, earrings, cuff links and charms.  Very few pieces, like the Capricorn below, were produced with gold plating.

Aries	Taurus	Gemini	Cancer
Leo	Virgo	Libra	Scorpio
Sagittarius	Capricorn	Aquarius	Pisces

Click here and here to see Cini pieces for sale at Emerald City.