Many individuals may find the 17th-century Capuchin crypt in Rome to be a haunting place, with its walls adorned with skeletal remains. However, for a young Elsa Peretti, these visits sparked a fascination that would shape her creative journey: a fascination with bones. Over the years, the Italian model turned sculptor and jewelry designer began collecting bones as objects of intrigue.
Creative Inspirations
Stephan Palumbo, a board member of the Nando and Elsa Peretti Foundation, notes that Peretti's creativity has always been fueled by her insatiable curiosity. This drive led her to design the iconic bone cuff in the 1970s, which later inspired her crystal candlesticks created in collaboration with Tiffany & Co. in 1980. The candlestick, resembling an elegantly twisted femur, initially debuted in sterling silver and terra-cotta, followed by a magnolia wood version in 1986. Today, Tiffany continues to produce the silver candlesticks in Spain, starting from $2,300.
Design Philosophy
Peretti once expressed to the Chicago Tribune in 1999 that good home design should be universal, akin to a pair of old shoes. She believed in the utilitarian nature of her creations, which adorned various spaces in her residences across New York, Spain, and Italy. Her Italian home, the focal point of the recently published book, 'The Italian Interiors of Elsa Peretti,' showcases her unique design aesthetic and timeless appeal.
In conclusion, Elsa Peretti's candlestick designs have transcended time and continue to illuminate spaces worldwide, embodying a perfect blend of creativity, curiosity, and functional design.