Museo Ascione del Corallo
The Ascione company is the oldest manufacturer in Torre del Greco working in the delicate and prestigious sector of the artistic carving of coral, cameos, mother of pearl, gemstones and precious metals. In 1855 Giovanni Ascione, son of coral fishing boat owner and raw coral dealer Domenico, decided to turn his attention to crafting coral jewellery, an activity introduced to Torre del Greco in the early nineteenth century. Giovanni and his ten children succeeded in establishing a name for the Ascione brand on account of the refinement of their work, so much so as to receive numerous international recognitions and to become suppliers of the royal family, who bestowed on the company the privilege of using the insignia of the House of Savoy on its trademark. The two royal patents and the numerous recognitions won in major Italian and international exhibitions, in which the Ascione company has been, and still is, invited to take part, have constantly rewarded those special qualities that have always been its pride and strength: originality and elegance, which combine to create a product that is sensitive as few others are to changes in taste and trends and is ready to express these changes in unique pieces of limpid, formal elegance. The museum is divided into two sections: the first has an educational mission and presents branches of coral of various provenance and type, old coral fishing systems, the old tools used for carving, numerous necklaces in various sizes and styles, and the markets for which they were, and are, made. One particular space is given over to cameo carving: shells, tools, stages of carving, and finished objects provide visitors with a complete picture of this very special art. The second section is set aside for jewellery: more than 300 coral and lava stone objects and cameos bear witness to a rare and refined production that goes from the early nineteenth century to the 1960s. The exhibition is accompanied by ample printed and photographic documentation illustrating the company’s activity and its numerous awards for the quality and originality of its jewellery.
