Marzia Banci, A Man's Paths - Bessarion Necklace, 2023, 750 gold, sterling silver, silk, w 30 cm × l 50 cm

The necklace dedicated to cardinal Bessarion features an ivory silk base upon which the multiple paths taken by the cardinal interweave: his religious path is made up of sine-curved golden cord  upon which four-petalled flowers are evenly spaced out, while his ethical-political path is represented by sine-curved gold and silver plates alluding to 30 of the cardinal's relevant ventures. The  many routes taken by Bessarion during his intense, industrious life weave into religious and political diplomacy ventures. Bessarion was very important in Federico da Montefeltro's life: the cardinal  lived, worked and passed through the Duchy of Urbino at different times, enjoying the Duke's friendship and affection and participating in his plans.