Casa Savoia
Over the centuries, the Savoia family had undoubtedly crossed paths countless times with the patrician Petochi clan, not only influential Roman aristocrats, but also among the most prominent religious leaders of the Church, closely tied to the Vatican. The Petochi archives reveal, however, that their extraordinarily long and loyal jewelry relationship began with a simple yet exceptional order from the bachelor Crown Prince Umberto II that would change everything. In a royal letter delivered to Petochi at Palazzo Torlonia in 1926, the jewelry loving 22 year-old Italian Crown Prince requested that a tie clip be designed that he could wear at formal state occasions.
Petochi created these Art Deco reinterpretations of the double sided knot on the Savoia family coat of arms. The stylish Crown Prince loved them and immediately commissioned Petochi to create another set of cufflinks and additional tie clips using precious stones.
The Royal Warrant
As a bachelor until the end of the 1920s, the future king enjoyed not only placing orders for unique personal jewelry, but also visiting the actual Petochi store at Palazzo Torlonia in person. The prince made many appearances with intimate friends, and his royal entourage, as well as accompanying other European royals and continental nobility. Soon, Petochi was granted a royal warrant as the preferred jeweler of the Italian royal family.
KING UMBERTO AND QUEEN MARIE-JOSÉ
As an engagement present, no surprise, the Crown Prince chose and commissioned Petochi to create a gift for his future Queen, the first of many commissions for her. The rivière-style diamond necklace created by Petochi for Marie-José became one of her favorite pieces.