Since its establishment in 2014, Alighieri has become the go-to for magpies who like their jewellery on the unconventional side. Specialising in uneven silhouettes, bashed metal and statement pieces, the London-based brand anchors its style in the work of Italian poet Dante Alighieri, whose story about being lost in a dark wood inspired the rugged and almost archaeological nature of the pieces.
Founded by Rosh Mahtani, the brand’s focus has always been on creating “modern heirlooms” – hand-crafted talismans that both have their own story and encourage you to create your own. After establishing her label as the go-to hot spot for contemporary jewels, Mahtani has now turned her attention to homeware, dropping a 12-piece offering that continues to embody Alighieri’s commitment to forward-thinking design and exquisite craftsmanship.
Titled Totemic Devotion, the impetus for the debut Alighieri Casa collection is inviting people to create their own rituals. “It’s inspired by prehistoric rock formations,” Mahtani explains, “and the practice of taking everyday objects and imbuing them with spiritual meaning.” With this idea of considered artistry making up such a core aspect of the brand’s DNA, it was important to Mahtani that this properly translated from jewellery to homeware. “There’s a beautiful synergy between how we create the jewellery and the ‘Casa’ heirlooms,” she says, “I begin each piece with blocks of wax, and begin to carve forms and textures, heating my tools with the flame of a Roman candle. I apply the same jewellery techniques to ‘Casa’, and love breaking down the traditional barriers and classifications. Ultimately, each object is talismanic, whether it’s a medallion or a beautiful desert spoon.”
Wanting to slow down and not gloss over things that can inspire is one of the core messages Mahtani hopes to spread with her new venture. “Our lives have become so digital and frantic,” she says, “I want Alighieri Casa to be a return to the spiritual and tactical practice – which I think is so important for us as human beings. It’s an invitation to take a few minutes in the day for yourself, as you light that end-of-day candle or set the table. It’s a celebration of finding beauty in everyday rituals.”
For Mahtani, these rituals are what make a house feel like a home. “I’m a very ritualistic person, I love marking moments in the day. In the morning, I choose which jewellery to arm myself with according to how I feel; whether I need the Leone medallion for strength and courage for a pitch, or want to celebrate the beginning of a new project with The Bones of Rebirth Necklace, for example,” she says, “I always end the day by lighting the candles around my home, rooted in Alighieri candlesticks. I have the Totemic Devotion Candlestick on my coffee table for when I first come through the door. I then end my day with a book in the bath, and The Floating Pebble Candlesticks – the icy silver with the flickering flame sets the tone for my pre-bed ritual.”
Bringing this way of living to her customer base is the driving force for Mahtani. “I think of Alighieri as being a universe that brings people together, that unlocks dialogue through objects,” she says. “Building the business over the last ten years has been similar to building a home, a family, rock by rock, with ups and downs along the way. I think Alighieri Casa feels particularly important to me at this point in my mid-thirties, as I start to think about what home and family mean on my own personal journey. The collection is very grounding in this sense, it’s an invitation to create a home, and build a family.”
Photography courtesy of Alighieri. Alighieri Casa is now available to purchase from its website, here.