Founded by Dominique Giuliani, jeweler, designer and expert in stones, this Atelier attracted my attention for the uniqueness of its creations and for the historical, cultural, artistic references. Dominique is a humanist in love with nature and its facets and most of his production is inspired by the sublime aspects of the eternal cycle of life. With this collection Giuliani introduces us into the world of mythology through a nine-step love story marked by a jewel for each stage. A journey through time and space that starts from the Greek islands where the God Poseidon/ Neptune reigned. In that very moment Dominique had a powerful inspiration.
With Dominique, a modern-age Ulysses, we discover new horizons related to nature and love that dominate human life. The first jewel of this mythological collection is inspired by the myth of Apollo and Daphne, narrated in the Metamorphoses of Apuleius and Ovid. As Hesiod recounts in the Theogony: in the beginning everything was Chaos, a primeval entity that expresses a complete void, from which Gaia Γαῖα, the Earth Mother, emerged. It is said that she was the mother of the beautiful nymph Daphne, who captured the attention of Apollo. The myth tells that Eros / Cupid, God of love hit Apollo with a golden arrow that made him fall in love with Daphne. Yet, he shot Daphne with a lead dart whose power was to chase love away. In her escape to the woods Daphne turned into a laurel in front of Apollo, who swore that from that moment this plant would be sacred to him. The two managed to touch each other only for a moment like two novice lovers, at the beginning of their love season.
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From a platonic romance to the love between Eros and Psyche. This story was described by the Latin writer Apuleius in his “Metamorphoses” (II c. A.D.). Metaphor of the eternal battle between rationality and instinct, the legend tells the story of the God Eros / Cupid and the beautiful Psyche, a timeless story. Psyche was beautiful, her grace and splendor provoked the envy of Aphrodite / Venus (Goddess of beauty) who, in revenge, decided to ask her son Eros for help. The envious Goddess asked her son to strike Psyche with one of his infallible arrows and make her fall in love with the ugliest man on earth. Yet, Eros was so enchanted by her beauty that he was distracted to the point that one of his arrows hit himself, making him fall madly in love with this splendid girl.
Psyché ring in pink gold set with an unheated 2.29 carats cushion-cut violet sapphire, tsavorite garnets, violet sapphires and brilliant-cut diamonds.
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Love is a magic that overwhelms us, transporting us into a kind of semi-slumber, similar to the intoxicating sleep that the god Morpheus induced in mortals with his bunches of poppies. It is the magic of the first kiss, the instant in which we close our eyes to give ourselves to the person we love. In the same way, like the poppy of Morpheus, these two rings display a corolla of fragile flowers carrying a flamboyantly beating heart.
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The passion becomes more and more overwhelming, until it evolves into an indissoluble bond, similar to the legendary belt which Aphrodite / Venus used to attract men. Goddess of love and beauty, Aphrodite represents femininity and the passions of the heart, from the work of Hesiod to the Renaissance painting by Botticelli.
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Love can also be characterized by an indomitable strength, like that of the hero Heracles / Hercules, who, finding himself at the crossroads of life, was offered the choice between Vice and Virtue. In the same way, love guides us towards our future, up to marriage.
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In the Pantheon, the Greek temple of Olympus, Eros and Psyche became one! Here the shrine of the ultimate celebration is revealed. Just as Love and Soul are inseparable. This ring witnesses the eternal love and seals the union of two souls.
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Just as Leto, Titanid of Maternity, this ring symbolizes the first child in his mother’s arms. This perfect cushion-shaped jewel is a metaphor of the most precious treasure in the world.
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But often temptations are around the corner: with the protection of Athena’s aegis, difficulties can be overcome. This pendant is like a protective armour and the sparkling contrast of this bright yellow diamond is both comforting and reassuring.
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We can find joy and serenity only returning to Mother Nature and Love, our refuge and protection, our harmony and source of life. This sacred ring binds us forever to Gaia, Mother Nature and to these divinities, symbols of eternal renewal.
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I asked Dominique how this collection was born. “I was travelling around Greece and in particular Crete back in 2015. The history and geology of this country are wonderful. I simply fell in love with Greece and its people, as well as with its history since I’m also an expert in Greek mythology. Hence the idea behind this collection. “This collection is a tribute to love in all of its forms. What is your vision of love in our lives today? “Today, this wonderful feeling struggles to exist in people’s hearts. It has become a sort of obstacle course. This collection not only provides a great opportunity to declare your love to your beloved through gifting them with these jewels, but it will also allow for you to experience the declaration of true love in the same action.”
“Bel astre de Vénus, de son front délicat
Puisque Diane encor voile le doux éclat,
Jusques à ce tilleul, au pied de la colline,
Prête à mes pas secrets ta lumière divine.
Je ne vais point tenter de nocturnes larcins,
Ni tendre aux voyageurs des pièges assassins.
J’aime : je vais trouver des ardeurs mutuelles,
Une nymphe adorée, et belle entre les belles,
Comme, parmi les feux que Diane conduit,
Brillent tes feux si purs, ornement de la nuit.”
“Bright star of Venus, from whose lovely ray
Fair Dian’s self must shrink abashed away,
But to the lindens, at the hillock’s side,
Lend me thy beam my secret steps to guide.
I go not unto midnight revels rude,
Nor harm belated travellers in the wood
I love and go to find an answering love
A nymph adored all other nymphs above
Who shines ‘mongst maidens, as thine amorous light
Resplendent o’er the fires that deck the night”
(Poem by André Chenier)
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Article edit by Laura Astrologo Porché
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