Coral Jewellery Museum

The Museum of coral in the Italian city of Naples shows the history of coral jewelry production on the basis of outstanding pieces of Companies Production Ascione from Torre del Greco from the 18th century to the present and on the basis of original documents.

The Museum

It is divided into two parts: In the first area, the didactic, coral species ( red coral ) are seen from different origins, the historical process of the coral fishing, the historical tools for processing of corals, numerous chains of different length and design, the different markets, for that was definitely the production and is still determined. A case is also provided for the manufacture of cameos: it shows the raw material, the shell, along with tools and various production phases. Finally, the finished objects give visitors a complete picture of this particular craft.

The second section is devoted to the jewelry production: there are more than 300 objects from coral, shell and lava rock to see. They show a rare and precious production, ranging from the early 19th century until the 1940s. The exhibition is supplemented by numerous historical photographs and documents from the company's archives. They illustrate the activities of the company and its numerous awards.

Location of the museum

The museum Ascione is on the second floor of the main facade of the Galleria Umberto I and occupies a large part of it. From the exhibition rooms you can enjoy a breathtaking view of the historic center of Naples, the City Palace and the Teatro San Carlo. The famous marble figures by Carlo Nicoli at the theater facade seem close enough to touch.

Historical Notes

As is apparent from the archives of the Chamber of Commerce of Naples, the company Ascione is the oldest manufacturing in Torre del Greco, which has the processing of corals, shells, mother of pearl and precious stones prescribed. In 1855 Giovanni Ascione began with the processing of coral, a craft that was settled in the 19th Century in Torre del Greco. Giovanni and his ten sons managed to establish the brand Ascione. The excellent quality of the company Ascione was royal purveyor. Since then, the company Ascione also allowed to carry the insignia of the House of Savoy.