Marzia Banci, Gamma
Brooch, 2023, sterling silver, brilliant-cut yellow diamonds, oak leaf, w 6 cm × h 10 cm
The shape of the brooch, inspired by the Greek letter to which it owes its name, alludes to the Della Rovere coat of arms, which shows an oak tree, 'its branches twisted in a double St Andrew cross'. Made in silver, the brooch contains a true oak leaf (sacred to Zeus) that stands for the power and physical and moral vigour of dukes Francesco Maria I, Guidubaldo II, Francesco Maria II and of pope Julius II, members of a tenacious, combative dynasty.
Marzia Banci, Homage to Julius II
Ring, 2023, sterling silver, 750 gold, rock crystal, w 2 cm × h 6.2 cm
The ring resembles an imposing, sturdy tower representing the power of Julius II in leading all his ventures. It is made up of a silver base and a gold border hinting at the tower battlements illuminated by the sun, a clear reference to the pope's wisdom.
On top of the ring, a pyramid of rock crystal is shattered by the thrusting papal sword (the ring is taken from Raphael's fresco The Delivery of the Decretals to Pope Gregory IX, in the Stanza della Segnatura (Raphel's Rooms) in the Vatican Museums. The sword stands for the pope's resolve which is so firm it can pierce a diamond.
Marzia Banci, Homage to the Della Rovere
Brooch, 2023, sterling silver, 750 gold, brilliant-cut yellow diamonds, Ø 9 cm
The brooch dedicated to the House of the Della Rovere is made up of a silver circle engraved with the names of the four Della Rovere dukes (Francesco Maria I, Guidubaldo II, Francesco Maria II, Federico Ubaldo) and a stylised yellow gold oak tree with four branches containing yellow diamonds, the tips of which are engraved with oak leaves. A thrusting sword (suggesting the tree trunk emblem of the dynasty) is placed perpendicularly to the lower section of the circle: a symbol of Julius II, who played a crucial role in the passage between the two dynasties, the Montefeltro and Della Rovere, and the survival of the Duchy.
