The Seppia Story

A solitary creature, the seppia or cuttlefish of the Mediterranean Sea, is always prepared for encounters with others: When it meets its desired partner, the seppia attracts with its streamlined shape and iridescent colour, playing with pinks, reds, violets. To protect itself, the seppia can change colours, like a cameleon, to blend in with its surroundings, using its colour as a camouflage.

The seppia, engineered with a type of natural self-propulsion unit, contains the osso di seppia (a bone-like structure) found within the body that is porous, resembling a pocket, that allows it to float while alsoproviding balance and stability.

Most think of cuttlefish as being part of Mediterranean cuisine and do not often consider its importance in jewellery making and design.

For centuries, jewellery artisans have used the osso di seppia as a mould in the creation of jewellery: After imprinting the desired form, melted gold is poured into the bone. The bone’s thick cast-like structure is extremely heat resistant and thus able to withstand molten metal at high temperatures.

Its porous and striped surface create beautiful and unique designs on the finished model, resembling thelinear patterns created by wind and underwater currents on sand.

Werner Altinger has taken this natural form to create pieces that are unique, modern and artistic, making it an important and innovative element in his designs while also celebrating ancient techniques and the Tuscan shores that he loves.