Create your own jewellery in Florence

Create your own piece of jewellery using the same ancient technique that once adorned the Duchess of Florence.

In Bronzino's famous portrait at the Uffizi, Eleonora di Toledo, the Duchess of Florence, wears a delicate gold net across her chest and shoulders. That gold mesh is called reticella d'oro, "the little golden net," and it was made using one of the oldest textile techniques in the world.

The roots of this craft go back to ancient Greece. For centuries, Greek and Byzantine artisans looped gold thread into intricate nets and chains. After the fall of Constantinople in 1453, Greek refugees brought this needlework tradition to Italy, where it became known as "Greek point" or reticella. In Florence and Venice, women of the court wore reticella to adorn their necklines.

My grandmother taught me that technique when I was a kid, and years later, I adapted that skill to work with precious wires. The technique you'll learn in the workshop is the same one I use to create all my jewellery.

Each workshop lasts 3 hours and welcomes up to 5 participants.

What to expect:

• The chance to learn an ancient technique passed down to me by my ancestors
• Take home a unique piece of jewellery proudly "Made in Florence"
  
• The chance to select your favorite gemstones
• All materials and tools, including pliers, wire and gemstones, will be provided

Whether you’re a complete beginner or have some experience, this workshop offers a rare opportunity to work with an ancient technique in the city where it once adorned the most powerful women of the Renaissance.

Note: If you wear glasses for close-up work, please feel free to bring them.

To add more than 1 guest, please add them directly at checkout in the Cart.

Cancellation policy: Please note that this experience can be cancelled up to 7 days in advance by sending an email at info@mariaglezelli.com. After that, the booking is non-refundable.