Exploring the Timeless: Vignelli Designed Silver

May 18

As a part of the NYCxDesign Festival, The Arts and Architecture Conservancy at Saint Peter’s hosted a panel discussion including Julia Abbonizio, art director and photographer, Ubaldo Vitali, silversmith and restorer of Saint Peter’s Silver, Matilde Melidonis, Granddaughter of San Lorenzo’s founder, and Sarah Barack, Head of Conservation and Senior Objects Conservator at Cooper Hewitt. Moderated by Josh Owen, Director of the Vignelli Center for Design Studies at Rochester Institute of Technology, this talk gave insight into how creative process, precious material, and design integrity work together to create a timeless silver object.

Since its foundation in Milano in 1970, San Lorenzo has distinguished itself by working with internationally renowned designers and architects, including collaborations with Lella and Massimo Vignelli. The Vignellis worked with San Lorenzo to design many timeless silver jewelry pieces, Judaica and the silver liturgical objects used by Saint Peter’s Church.

The panel discussion was followed by a reception where archival process drawings and photos were on view from by San Lorenzo, Vignelli Center for Design Studies at Rochester Institute of Technology and Saint Peter’s Church. Jewelry and liturgical objects were also on view.

This event surrounded a photo exhibition by Julia Abbonzio and on loan from the Vignelli Center for Design Studies. As the Vignelli Center acquired the final missing pieces from the archived collection of Lella Vignelli’s jewelry designs, Abbonizio sought to capture the timeless allure of these pieces. This exhibition highlights how the jewelry is able to take on different forms and mirrors that versatility through a variety of models. It remains on view through July 31, 2025.

All photos by Fadi Kheir.

This event is co-produced by The Arts and Architecture Conservancy at Saint Peter’s, the Vignelli Center for Design Studies at Rochester Institute of Technology and Saint Peter’s Church.

Saint Peters