Design for an Agraffe

About this artwork

Research in Progress

Art Historical Context

**Design for an Agra** by Girolamouri (ca. 1742) offers a captivating glimpse into 18th-century European decorative arts. Venturi, an Italian designer during the Rococo era, created this preparatory drawing for an *agraffe*—an ornate clasp or hook used to fasten garments like cloaks or bodices. Such designs were essential to the opulent fashion of the time, blending functionality with lavish embellishment to showcase wealth and craftsmanship. Dating to around 1742, the work reflects the intricate, asymmetrical motifs of the Rococo style, which emphasized elegance and playfulness over the grandeur of the preceding Baroque period. Agraffes like this one were often crafted in gold, silver, or gemstones, adorning the nobility across Europe. Venturi's design highlights the collaborative process between artists and goldsmiths, where sketches guided the creation of wearable art. Now housed in the Smithsonian American Art Museum's collection—acquired through museum purchase and the Eleanor G. Hewitt Fund—this piece underscores the transatlantic appeal of European design traditions. Though research continues, it invites visitors to appreciate how jewelry designs bridged art, fashion, and status in the 1700s, sparking curiosity about the luxurious lives they once secured.