A GOLD BRACELET, BY GERMANO ALFONSI, CIRCA 1960 Composed of five panels, each cast in high relief depicting the legend of Achilles, with T-bar and loop clasp, in 18K gold, each panel signed, length 19cm A similar bracelet sold at Sotheby's on March 2019, lot 83, for 11,250 Euros Nino D'Antonio Germano was born to the Alfonsi family of jewellers in Rome in 1926. He was predominantly a sculptor, working in bronze through the use of the lost wax process. He carried this technique over to his jewellery making, bringing a sculptural element to his work. As the lost wax method causes the mould to degrade, Germano's designs could only be a carried out a finite number of times, making each piece one of a very limited edition. He worked in 18k gold and would sign his work 'Germano'. Germano's main inspiration was drawn from classical art and many of his pieces carry mythological themes. Furthermore, the gold is acid washed to create a soft hue, delicately mimicking the jewellery found on archaeological sites. A perfect example of this is the current lot which artfully depicts the tale of Achilles. Set against a plain background, the figures bear a striking resemblance to those found on Greek and Roman friezes, the muscular forms paying tribute to the perfection of the human physique and the immortal lineage of Achilles. Achilles' victories are juxtaposed with his demise, the two end plaques depicting Paris with his bow and a defeated Achilles with an arrow in his heel.