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Alessandro Dari is a Master Goldsmith based in Florence.
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An exceptional artisan and also a multi-talented, self-taught artist.
He studied, at first, to become a Pharmacist but was attracted also by Metallurgy and made his first ring when he was 16. He is a classical guitarist but also a Sculptor.
Perceptive Dynamism
Alessandro Dari is the founder of the artistic movement called Perceptive Dynamism. His idea is that the echo of life is captured in a physical object. Often he creates jewels that have an infinite form to them. His creations are a homage to the great Renaissance artists, such as Michelangelo, who made unfinished sculptural masterpieces. His creations embody his perception of the fluidity of time and space. Each work is influenced by his personal experiences. He dislikes static objects.
Maestro Dari is also a great scholar and draws inspiration from Alchemical texts such as “Atalanta Fugiens” by Michael Maier (1566-1622) as well as esoteric literary texts such as the “Fedeli d’Amore”
Atalanta Fleeing is a 16th-century book with an alchemical theme. Master Alessandro Dari seeks to infuse life into his creations. His jewelry is synonymous with depth and spirituality. The shapes and forms that this talented Alchemist creates help one connect with one’s inner well-being.
The Atelier
Dari’s studio resembles a Renaissance atelier, with its creative atmosphere.
. Cabinets of precious pieces are on display and the workshop itself is cluttered with tools and raw materials.
Alessandro Dari’s Creations: “Unique Pieces of Indefinite Beauty”
“They are unique pieces of infinite beauty. The artist’s hand seems to be guided by a superior and eternal entity and, perhaps, it is” (a visitor at Dari’s workshop).
Florence has a long history of exceptional goldsmiths and Maestro Dari’s work is uniquely Florentine. The intricate detail of his crown rings or bejeweled crosses embellished with precious stones are irresistible. This is the place to find that unique item.
Which period of history has influenced the Maestro?
Alessandro Dari is influenced by the Etruscan, Classical, Gothic, and Renaissance styles when the goldsmith art reached its greatest splendor. The use of architecture and anatomic themes are constantly present in all creations of the Master.
Dari has Created a series of Collections
Some of his collections are in Limited Series:
The “Chiese” collection of rings
Alessandro has made a stunning collection of Church rings where architectural elements from Cathedrals and Churches have been captured.
Below you can see his magnificent San Marco Basilica ring dedicated to the great Gothic, Byzantine-style Cathedral of Venice which dominates Piazza San Marco. The dome of the ring is in 18K gold and when open reveals a large amethyst. The Gothic windows are surrounded by a row of diamonds.
Santa Marco ring by Alessandro Dari
The “Castelli” Collection
His Castle rings are architectural masterpieces that take us back through history to places of strategic and political importance. They symbolize power, sovereignty, and conquest and conceal mysteries and hidden stories of the past.
The innovative “Machinery Jewels” collection
This collection is particularly impressive. It includes mechanical clocks and various types of machinery especially dedicated to measuring time and seems far from what you would normally expect from a goldsmith.
Alessandro Dari and his Workshop
The magical beauty of Florence lies in the fact that, even when you believe you have seen everything, the city still hides wonderful secrets in narrow streets always ready to amaze you.
The workshop is located in the district of San Niccolò in Via San Niccolò 115/r.
All the phases are taken care of here: from casting to enameling, engraving, and setting of the stones with the utmost passion directly by the Master.
Bottega and Museum
The workshop or “Bottega”, is also a “Museum”. It is located in the ancient Palazzo Nasi– Quaratesi built in 1400, where the Madonna del Cardellino by Raphael was found. Dari’s studio looks like a Renaissance atelier.
Inside, we can admire more than 900 jewels, divided into jewelry collections, and we can appreciate the uniqueness of the jewels that enclose sculptural work and goldsmith experimentation at the highest levels.
In 2001 his workshop was awarded the title of “Bottega Museum” by the Department of Fine Arts in Rome. All creations by Dari are placed in the twenty-two showcases of the museum, with particular care for the setting of the collections.
This place is also where Master Dari lives. In the upper part of the atelier, there is also a corner for drawing and playing. We cannot forget the passion of the Master for classical guitar and for sacred music that you can listen to while visiting.
The Bottega-Museum of Alessandro Dari
Alessandro Dari Museum – The School
The workshop has also become a Jewelry School. Dari teaches monthly and three-monthly courses or Master Class courses in Sculptural Goldwork. He opened his Jewelry Sculpture School in 2014.
A part of the large sixteenth-century hall is used as a study laboratory. It houses 7 workstations for students who want to take an advanced course in the Art of Jewelry.
The school continues the tradition of the ancient Florentine artistic workshops, providing a unique experience. The students are placed in an environment that inspires creativity.
Who can participate?
The School is aimed at students and professionals who wish to learn or deepen the techniques of the Goldsmith Art. There is a personalized approach, with classes of a maximum of 7 people, in a true Florentine historical workshop.
The purpose is to provide the highest degree of preparation possible. At the end of the course, the student will have acquired extensive professional and technical skills. The final purpose is to stimulate the creative potential of each goldsmith.
Etruscan Goldsmith Art
Alessandro states that technically he has learned a great deal from Etruscan art. He says that he has learned with time to reproduce and personalize Etruscan-inspired jewels. He gave us the analogy of a musician who can play Bach and can play almost anything.
Etruscan knot earrings
Master Dari has dedicated many years to studying Etruscan Goldsmith Art. Thanks to his deep knowledge it is possible to learn from him the techniques and secrets of this quite mysterious population.
Dari encourages his students to mix the ancient Etruscan Goldsmith techniques with those of modern and contemporary Goldsmith Art. The final purpose is both to train Goldsmiths specialized in Etruscan Art and to stimulate the creative potential of each student.
Alessandro Dari Awarded National Jewelry Ambassador
Alessandro Dari received the “100 National Ambassadors Prize” on January 16, 2020, at Palazzo Madama in Rome after 50 years of dedication to the art of jewelry.
The award is sponsored by the Italian Senate. It is given to people who have helped the enhancement of the national heritage and become virtuous examples for the community.
Sacerdote Ring
Interview with Alessandro Dari and our journalist Fabiana Bisa
Fabiana: How old were you when you made your first jewel?
Alessandro: My first attempt was at 12 but I started in earnest when I was 16
Fabiana: What attracted you to the world of Jewelry?
Alessandro: I was attracted by the love of art and history as well as an attraction to ancient Goldsmith techniques-
Fabiana: Have the techniques changed much over the years?
Alessandro: Yes, many of the Jewels that are made today are technically very poor. Artistic beauty comes from a well-prepared technically sound base just like a beautiful musical composition.
Fabiana: Are you a religious man? Do you believe in God?
Alessandro: Yes I am profoundly religious although I respect all religions.
Fabiana: How long do some of the more complex pieces take to make?
Alessandro: Some of the more complex engineered pieces such as my musical box which was dedicated to the group Genesis took almost 40 years. I was waiting for the right inspiration!
Fabiana: Who helps you in the studio?
Alessandro: My wife helps me with the website and the school. As for the rest, I get help only from inspiration from on high!
Fabiana: Which nationality appreciates your creations?
Alessandro: Obviously Italians but I also get a lot of clients from the English-speaking world.
Fabiana: Which metal do you like working with most?
Alessandro: Gold but especially yellow gold.
Fabiana: Have any of your students become famous with their own brands?
Alessandro: All of them have used their time at school to their advantage not only materialistically but also spiritually.
Fabiana: Do you travel a lot? How did the lock-down affect you?
Alessandro: I travel mainly with my mind. Sometimes I am inspired by people or things I saw or experienced decades ago.
Economically the lockdown was a disaster. However, I took advantage by improving the studio with new illumination and overhauling my mechanical sculptures.
Fabiana: You must have had a few famous clients in the past.
Alessandro: Yes I remember Claudia Schiffer visiting us in her early days and indirectly Zeffirelli.
Fabiana: How important is Florence for you and your work?
Alessandro: For me Florence is everything! (At this point the Maestro gets very emotional) It is the mirror of our soul. It gives one the emotional coordination to capture the beauty of our history.
Fabiana: Is there a particular moment in history that inspires you more than others?
Alessandro: Yes. The technology and art of the Etruscans have been a great inspiration to me. I also love the period that goes from the Middle Ages to the Renaissance. The former represents the submission of the people and the latter its re-birth.
Fabiana: Thank you for your time
Alessandro: It has been a pleasure!
Conclusion
Check out this magical place to see Maestro Dari’s unique creations. You can buy one of his masterpieces in gold, silver, or bronze.
You can also buy online at
Check out my post on another great Florentine artisan Paolo Penko
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