Timeless jewellery

  • Circo. Foto: Álvaro López del Cerro. © Madrid Destino
    circo_alvaro_lopez_del_cerro.jpg

Bloggin Madrid

24 May 2022

Much more than simple a form of adornment, pieces of jewellery are dreams come true in the eyes of these makers who, in their studios in Madrid, uphold an artisan tradition deeply rooted in our city. By Silvia Roba

Visit any archaeological museum around the world and you’ll see how men and women from prehistoric times used shells, bones and even animal fangs to adorn their body. It was the Egyptians who first used gold as a symbol of status, and the Greeks and Romans followed suit, with only certain members of society being allowed to wear rings. The word “jewel” comes from the Latin jocale, which means game or play, while the Spanish synonym “alhaja” comes from Arabic and means “precious object”.

The Guild of Jewellers, Silversmiths and Watchmakers is accordingly steeped in tradition: it was founded in 1572, only a few years after Felipe II of Spain made Madrid the capital of the kingdom. It was one of the major guilds that later formed Madrid’s Chamber of Commerce, and it is the oldest of those still around today. Despite the tradition harking back many years, contemporary makers of artisan jewellery are also happy to embrace new trends. Let’s visit some of their studios to discover how they work today.

ANDRÉS GALLARDO

San Pedro, 8: Metro: Estación del Arte / Antón Martín

This studio started out making necklaces and bracelets from pieces of broken porcelain unearthed at markets and antique stores, crafting something similar to 3D collages. Today in their studio-store in the Barrio de las Letras, they craft their own items, which are easily recognisable thanks to their use of naïve, mysterious images of rabbits, hands, suns, moons, greyhounds, flowers, and more. The intuitive and meticulous way in which they work is pioneering, as they reclaim and employ the potential of artisan crafts from a contemporary perspective. Excellence and approachability are two terms that this business is very familiar with.

“We feel that each step we have taken has happened naturally. Creativity, craft and authentic relationships based on mutual respect underpin Andrés Gallardo, both as a business and as a brand,” they tell us. They also point out that there isn’t one person behind this name, but instead an entire team that has become a family.

They started back in the year 2010, when they began experimenting without limits, motivated by their own needs, placing creativity at the centre of the process, and crafting with their two hands. Today, in collaboration with artisans based in Spain and Portugal, they continue to reclaim traditional techniques. Their imaginary takes inspiration from topics such as magic, love, and flora and fauna, with their latest collection including strawberries and lifelike faces of mice and kittens crafted in porcelain for necklaces, rings and earrings. A craft in which there is a great deal of care and expertise.

STUDIO SQUINA

Amparo, 94. Metro: Lavapiés / Embajadores

Founded by Gimena Caram and Sandra Pampín, this jewellery studio is also a school, the natural result of the love these two makers have for design and creative processes. Here you’ll find micromotors, soldering irons, fretsaws, polishers, mallets, shears, pliers, and hammers tucked away in corners and also scattered around this charming space in the Lavapiés district, also home to a store and showroom.

Because what these two passionate women want, more than anything, is for their studio to be a place of dialogue and meeting for artists and the public. And for those who are just getting started in this world, they also offer 48-hour courses in which they teach the basic techniques for metal jewellery making and an introduction to wax pieces and setting.

DSNÚ

Doctor Fourquet, 11. Metro: Estación del Arte / Lavapiés

Dsnú is a design studio with an artisan workshop formed by Ana Martínez (architect and jeweller) and David de Felipe (visual artist and ceramicist); it is the result of an idea to create bespoke items by combining their knowledge of traditional techniques and materials, applied from a temporary point of view. The name of the studio comes from a made-up abbreviation of the Spanish words for design and nude – diseño and desnudo respectively – which captures the concept behind their work: to create pieces stripped of everything except what is necessary and which accentuate the elegance of simplicity.

The result is unique pieces made by means of environmentally friendly artisan processes. The pure geometric shapes of their designs contrast with the organic, expressive character of the materials they use, such as porcelain, metal and wood. Subtlety is what they do well. Their mission? To move those who see their jewellery. Their Atlas collection is inspired by the world of maps, Zumaia by the rocky terrain of the Basque town of the same name, and Fragmentos by the relationship between architecture and natural landscapes.

ENTÍO

San Gregorio, 21. Metro: Chueca

In the words of the Entío siblings, great devotees of their profession and extraordinary creatives: “Our jewellery can be defined by contemporary design, completely tailored to each client, and with every last detail taken care of”. The grandchildren of traditional artisans from Madrid, they are authentic experts in jewellery making, gemology and setting techniques. Proficient in classic techniques, they have also welcomed the latest trends in design and production methods to their way of working.

Today, you’ll find them at the helm of a small and very enthusiastic team of artisans and creators who design, craft and sell exclusive bespoke bracelets and pieces of jewellery made to order. We’re fans of their philosophy: “wearing original, attractive pieces should not be a luxury afforded by a mere few, but a privilege enjoyed by many.” At their store-studio in the Chueca neighbourhood you’ll find tools steeped in generations of history alongside the latest 3D technology.

CIRCO

Belén, 3. Metro: Chueca

Almudena Gil is behind Circo. Since the year 2005, she has been designing unique items that celebrate the beauty of imperfection, combining surrealism, pop culture and shapes from the natural world. She makes her collections using completely artisan methods including the lost wax casting technique, one of the oldest forms of sculpture, and from materials such as silver, coral and brass.

She also works with antiques and other objects she finds in second-hand stores and flea markets. “Each piece is crafted in its own individual way; it has its own personality and is the result of much love and many hours of work,” Almudena tells us, sharing with us her mission, which is “for everyone to find their own piece”. Her best-sellers include her heart ring, turtle cuff, the Calypso necklace, and her snake bracelet.

 

 

MADE IN MADRID

Pieces of jewellery are dreams come true in the eyes of these makers who, in their studios in Madrid, uphold an artisan tradition deeply rooted in our city.

 

The feel of clay in your hands can be quite an experience. In Madrid, there are numerous studios where skilled artisans work to express themselves through this medium.

Leather tanning is one of the oldest trades still practised in Madrid. Today the city is home to many an artisan who works with leather using age-old techniques.

Today we can find craftsmen, some of whom come from historical Madrid-born families, who share this passion for former trades in these current times.

Not only is it the most elegant of all fashion accessories, but it also protects our hands from the cold. Our city can boast numerous shops and workshops where their gloves are still 100% handmade.

In these two shops, one classic and the other modern, you’ll find the perfect summer accessory.

Let's visit some of the master craftsmen and women who make handmade guitars.

In these shops –some over a century old– and workshops in our city, you’re sure to find just what you’re looking for.

These famous maids of honour depicted in Diego Velázquez's painting today act as genuine muses for many workshops and artists in Madrid.

  • Mapa ilustrado de Restaurantes y tabernas centenarios de Madrid
  • Don't leave Madrid without first dining at one of these eateries steeped in history.

    Centuries-old Restaurants
Advertisement
  • Recetas centenarias de la gastronomía madrileña / RCM

YOU MIGHT ENJOY

  • Pick one of our themed itineraries and discover the city through the eyes of some our Madrid's most renowned artists.

    Themed Itineraries
  • Turistas Madrid
Advertisement
  • Historic establishments. The shops and businesses that have seen the birth and growth of more than three generations of Madrid’s citizens.

    Century-Old Establishments

DON’T MISS

  • Zonas de compras
Advertisement
  • Over the past few years, Madrid’s calendar has got filled with street markets and pop-up events gathering buyers, sellers and producers.

    Charming street markets
  • We will show you 10 tips so as not to miss the most authentic corners of the big open-air market in Madrid, where you can find everything.

    A morning at the Rastro
  • Una mañana en El Rastro
  • A tour of the areas where you can find the best dealers in valuable antiques and collectibles.

    Art and antique dealers
  • Anticuarios y almonedas
  •  Fin de semana de compras en Madrid
  • A visit to the Rastro flea market is a must for any visitor's first Sunday in Madrid, and a usual strolling ground for Madrileños on public holiday mornings.

    El Rastro: hone your haggling techniques
  • El Rastro: el mercado más castizo

OFFICIAL PRODUCTS

The city’s new official sightseeing and tourist travel pass.

An observation deck at 92 metres.

Our online store (in Spanish) sells artisan souvenirs.