Fortunato Pio Castellani

In collaboration with his friend and sponsor Michelangelo Caetani - later the Duke of Sermoneta and a noted archaeologist - Castellani began to draw inspiration from archaeological discoveries particularly those of the pre-Roman Estruscan culture.

[3] Fortunato Pio Castellani developed a special chemical technique called "giallone" to reproduce the warm, deep yellow shades of ancient gold.

Fortunato Pio Castellani founded a school for goldsmiths in 1840 with the aim of enhancing and applying ancient techniques, including glyptics and minute mosaics.

This effort helped safeguard traditional popular goldsmith techniques by collecting and preserving precious ornaments from rural areas.

Castellani's main shop was immediately adjacent to the Trevi Fountain, one of Rome's most prestigious locations, and incorporated a museum of the family's collection.