Jewellery, Watches and Objects of Vertu

A silver bracelet, by Antonio Belgiorno and a pair of silver ear clips, the articulated bracelet composed of hollow domed links, clasp signed ‘BELGIORNO’, together with a pair of quatrefoil ear clips with ropetwist decoration and silver bead accents, stamped ‘900’, indistinct signature to the reverse, bracelet length 21.3cm. £120-£150

The Argentinian jewellers Belgiorno were founded in 1931 by Antonio Belgiorno and his wife Maria Angelica Morteo. Living in the Argentinian province of Còrdoba at a time when silver was not considered a suitable metal for the manufacture of jewellery, the preference for jewellery manufacture was gold. Belgiorno introduced his new bold jewellery designs in silver and his business grew rapidly. Soon the company was opening branches in several Argentinean cites - Rosario de la Frontera, Bariloche, Mar del Plata and Capital Federal (now known as Buenos Aires). With the death of Antonio in 1966, Maria Angelica and her nephew Juan Morteo continued the business and moved the main store to 1347 Santa Fe Avenue in Buenos Aires. Today the business continues under Juan Morteo's son, Darío Morteo, and his business partner, Silvio Faoro and is one of the leading jewellers in Buenos Aires.