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It is not a stone, it is not a metal: mother-of-pearl is a shield. The first thing to make clear when talking about mother-of-pearl, in fact, is that despite its delicate and ethereal appearance, its function is to protect. When a foreign body insinuates itself into a mollusc, the mollusc begins to produce an aragonite or calcite-based substance that surrounds the intruder. Layered on top of each other, the mother-of-pearl completely covers the inside of the shell and creates those distinctive and recognisable iridescences as well as pearls.
A very solid structure and a delicate appearance are the two of the main qualities of mother-of-pearl, contrasting aspects that are perfectly balanced in this unique material. These two characteristics make it an extremely difficult material to work with, but this has not deterred artists and craftsmen from all over the world who over the centuries have been fascinated by mother-of-pearl and created masterpieces. From everyday objects to exquisite works of art, the talents of these craftsmen gave birth to a wide variety of objects. In these objects, the use of mother-of-pearl can take the form of elaborate decorations, as in the case of inlaid furniture or furniture covered with mother-of-pearl tesserae; or, for more sophisticated objects, it can be one of the constituent elements, as in the case of the beautiful lamps or this poetic and delicate fan shown here on the side.
Especially in the Romantic era, the exotic appearance and distant origin of mother-of-pearl exerted a melancholic fascination in the common imagination, which saw this material as the bearer of good fortune or tears. This fascination, together with its versatility of use, has contributed to the extraordinary spread of mother-of-pearl since ancient times, to the point of becoming a real tradition in some areas. In Italy, for example, on the crystalline coasts of Campania, particularly in Torre del Greco, one can find a large centre for the production of mother-of-pearl and coral objects. For those of you interested in this material we recommend a visit to the Museo del Corallo e del Cammeo in Torre del Greco, a precious testimony to the importance of this sought-after material.
Whether it is used for an inlay, a piece of jewellery or even a simple button, mother-of-pearl will never go out of fashion and will always remain synonymous with class and elegance.
