Italian jewelry designer Aldo Cipullo

Hamsa hand pendant. 18k gold, tiger eye. 1970s. Jewelry designer Aldo Cipullo
Hamsa hand pendant. 18k gold, tiger eye. 1970s. Jewelry designer Aldo Cipullo

Jewelry designer Aldo Cipullo
Born in Naples, Aldo Cipullo (1935-1984) grew up in Rome, the fifth child of a famous Italian jeweler. His father made costume jewelry and Aldo helped his father after school, gaining valuable experience in making and selling jewelry. As an adult, Aldo decided to move to the United States. Arriving in New York in 1959, he literally fell in love with this city. The same year he became a student of the famous Manhattan School of Visual Arts.
Cipullo began his career as a jeweler in the legendary company of David Webb (1960), then Tiffany (1963) and Cartier (1969).
However, an important turning point in the designer’s career was the opening of his own company, Aldo Cipullo, Ltd. in New York in 1974. The same year he received the prestigious Coty Award for pioneering influence on men’s jewelry design. From the early days, Aldo has shown a talent for innovative design inspired by modern life. Thus, the design of jewelry included machine parts – nails, screws and knots, along with dollar signs and even pasta.

Aldo Cipullo, 1960s
Aldo Cipullo, 1960s

Characteristic in his designs was an innovative approach to color combinations of stones. For example, he combined black onyx with turquoise or rock crystal with topaz, which was unheard of at the time. While working for Cartier in 1969, he created a gold “love bracelet” that brought immediate success to the designer.
His clients included Sophia Loren, Liza Minelli, Elizabeth Taylor and the Duchess of Windsor, as well as Pierre Cardin, Frank Sinatra and Richard Burton.

Maker’s mark
Maker’s mark

Italian jewelry designer Aldo Cipullo

Carved lapis lazuli and carnelian 18k gold earrings
Carved lapis lazuli and carnelian 18k gold earrings
Coral, onyx, gold, geometric earrings
Coral, onyx, gold, geometric earrings
Earrings in 18K gold in modern style. Made for Cartier in 1972
Earrings in 18K gold in modern style. Made for Cartier in 1972
Egyptian motif pendant. 18 carat gold, rock crystal, carved quartz. 1970s
Egyptian motif pendant. 18 carat gold, rock crystal, carved quartz. 1970s
Gold ring with black onyx. Made for Cartier
Gold ring with black onyx. Made for Cartier
Jade, rock crystal quartz, gold. Earrings 1974
Jade, rock crystal quartz, gold. Earrings 1974
Love gold brooch with a carnelian heart
Love gold brooch with a carnelian heart
Made for Cartier bracelet in black onyx, white and yellow gold
Made for Cartier bracelet in black onyx, white and yellow gold
Round earrings in jade, rubies, diamonds and yellow gold
Round earrings in jade, rubies, diamonds and yellow gold
Sard bracelet. Carved hololith, 18K gold. 1972
Sard bracelet. Carved hololith, 18K gold. 1972
Sole pendant. 14k gold, sterling silver
Sole pendant. 14k gold, sterling silver
Spiral earrings in 18K gold. 1972
Spiral earrings in 18K gold. 1972
Square earrings. 18k gold with jadeite jade and lapis lazuli. Made for Cartier. 1973
Square earrings. 18k gold with jadeite jade and lapis lazuli. Made for Cartier. 1973
Maker’s mark
Maker’s mark

Related

Back to top button