Chantecler Capri - the jewel that carries the soul of an island
In the heart of the Mediterranean, where sunlight reflects off white rocks and the blue of the sea seems almost unreal in its intensity, one of Italy’s most poetic jewelry houses was born: Chantecler Capri. More than a luxury brand, Chantecler is the expression of a state of mind - a celebration of the joy of living, of color, and of the freedom that defines Capri.
Founded in 1947, immediately after the Second World War, the House of Chantecler grew in parallel with Italy’s rebirth and with the modern mythology of the island of Capri, which quickly became a refuge for the international cultural and social elite.
The Birth of a Legend: Capri, 1947
It all began in 1947, on the enchanting island of Capri, when friends Pietro Capuano and Salvatore Aprea opened their first jewelry boutique on Via Camerelle.
Pietro Capuano - nicknamed “Chantecler” after the rooster character in Edmond Rostand’s play of the same name - was a bohemian and eccentric soul who came from a Neapolitan family with a tradition in jewelry and precious stones. A free, refined, and visionary spirit, he infused the brand with a playful and nonconformist identity.
His partner, Salvatore Aprea, had abandoned his law studies to follow his artistic calling. Together, they created jewelry that combined technical excellence with the vibrant inspiration of Capri.
The Chantecler story began with the friendship between two young men driven by the same passion for beauty, art, and jewelry. Their boutique soon became a popular destination for visitors to the island.
In the 1950s and 1960s, the Dolce Vita era definitively consecrated Chantecler. The Capri boutique became a meeting place for iconic figures such as Jacqueline Kennedy, Audrey Hepburn, Ingrid Bergman, Elizabeth Taylor, and Grace Kelly, drawn to jewelry that seemed to capture the very essence of the island.
Campanella - the Symbol That Defined Chantecler
If there is one jewel that expresses the Chantecler identity more than any other, it is the Campanella—the little bell that became the house’s symbol.
Inspired by a local legend from Capri, the campanella is associated with protection, good luck, and the return home. It is said that the sound of the bell guides the wandering soul, bringing hope and light.
During the Second World War, Pietro Capuano offered a small bronze bell to President Franklin D. Roosevelt as a symbolic gesture of peace and hope. This moment laid the foundation for a collection that would become iconic.
Today, the Campanella is reinterpreted in countless variations, available in yellow, white, or rose gold, set with diamonds, and decorated with coral, turquoise, colored enamel, or precious stones. Each bell is different, but all carry the same promise: joy, protection, and freedom.
Capri as a Source of Inspiration—the Chantecler Philosophy
Chantecler’s design is deeply connected to what the house calls Capriness—that unique blend of light, color, naturalness, and exuberance that defines the island of Capri.
The jewelry is not conceived as rigid, formal objects, but as living, fluid pieces that interact with light and with the body. The colors are bold, the volumes generous, and the compositions often asymmetrical—a direct reflection of the Caprese landscape, where nothing is perfectly symmetrical, yet everything is harmonious.
Under the creative direction of Maria Elena Aprea, the House of Chantecler continues to cultivate this subtle balance between tradition and modernity, between refinement and spontaneity.
Italian Craftsmanship and Special Techniques
All Chantecler jewelry is made exclusively in Italy, in high jewelry workshops where the tradition of Italian goldsmithing merges with technical innovation.
Materials used:
- 18K gold (yellow, white, or rose),
- silver worked with sophisticated finishes,
- platinum and titanium, for modern contrasts and innovative visual effects.
Stones and decorative elements:
- diamonds, rubies, sapphires, and emeralds,
- coral and turquoise, deeply linked to Mediterranean aesthetics,
- onyx, pearls, and polychrome enamels.
Chantecler is known for its ability to combine unconventional materials, for its fluid settings, and for the use of color as a central design element. Each piece is hand-finished, with extreme attention to detail, volume, and proportion.
Iconic Collections
Over time, Chantecler has created collections that have become true stylistic signatures:
- Campanella / Et Voilà – the ongoing reinterpretation of the iconic bell.
- Paillettes – an explosion of color and sparkle, inspired by the glamour of the 1950s.
- Enchanté – sculptural jewelry with rare stones and sophisticated forms.
- Maiolica – a collection that evokes traditional ceramics and the colors of southern Italy.
- Logo & Essentials – versatile pieces, easy to wear and combine.
- Chérie – contemporary reinterpretations of the pearl, with a playful and feminine spirit.
We will briefly present each collection individually.
Campanella / Et Voilà — Symbol, Talisman, Manifesto
The Campanella collection represents the core of Chantecler’s identity and, at the same time, one of the most recognizable signatures in contemporary Italian jewelry. The bell - constantly reinterpreted over the decades - is more than a decorative motif: it is a talisman, a symbolic object charged with meanings related to protection, good luck, and the return to oneself.
Chantecler Capri Diamond Gold Crystal Bell Earrings, Source DSF Antique Jewelry
The collection includes pendants and necklaces (from delicate miniatures to statement pieces), earrings, bracelets, and charms, as well as one-of-a-kind editions and high jewelry creations.
The distinctive features of the pieces in this collection are their three-dimensional, sculptural volume; their use of 18K gold combined with diamonds, precious stones, coral, turquoise, onyx, or enamel; and extremely meticulous finishes, including functional bells that ring softly.
Campanella is an emotional jewel, meant to be worn daily or kept as a personal object. The Et Voilà line offers more contemporary interpretations, with bold designs, chromatic contrasts, and heightened expressiveness. It is the collection that defines Chantecler more than any other.
Paillettes — The Sparkle of Capri in the Dolce Vita Era
Paillettes is an exuberant, sunlit collection that evokes the atmosphere of Capri in the 1950s and 1960s—a period when the island was synonymous with glamour, freedom, and the joy of living.
The collection includes modular necklaces, fluid bracelets, large, dynamic earrings, and statement rings.
The distinctive characteristics of these pieces are circular elements or mobile discs reminiscent of sequins; intense colors such as turquoise, coral, pink, yellow, and blue; as well as bold combinations of gold, enamel, and semiprecious stones.
Paillettes is a cinematic collection, full of movement and light. The jewelry is not static, but reacts to gestures, reflects light, and creates an almost playful effect. It is Chantecler’s most festive and expressive collection, ideal for those who see jewelry as a statement of style.
Enchanté — Jewelry as Sculpture
With Enchanté, Chantecler enters the realm of artistic jewelry and contemporary high jewelry. It is a collection dedicated to those who appreciate complexity, unconventional forms, and rare stones.
The pieces that make up this collection are elaborate necklaces, sculptural earrings, statement rings, one-of-a-kind pieces, and creations in extremely limited editions.
All are characterized by architectural volumes, deliberate asymmetries, sophisticated settings that highlight the stone as the central element, and the use of rare stones or stones with unusual cuts.
Enchanté is a conceptual collection in which jewelry becomes an object of wearable art. It stands out for its intellectual refinement and for an aesthetic that is more restrained, yet deeply sophisticated—an elegant counterpoint to the chromatic exuberance of other collections.
Maiolica — Color, Tradition, Mediterranean Spirit
The Maiolica collection draws its inspiration from the traditional ceramics of southern Italy, with decorative motifs and color palettes typical of the Mediterranean. It is a tribute to Italian decorative art and to craftsmanship passed down from generation to generation.
Composed of earrings, necklaces, bracelets, and pendants, the Maiolica collection is characterized by the extensive use of colored enamel; stylized geometric or floral motifs; strong contrasts between white, blue, yellow, and green; and glossy, perfectly finished surfaces.
Maiolica is the collection that celebrates the cultural roots of southern Italy. It is decorative, joyful, highly recognizable, and conveys a relaxed elegance typical of Mediterranean aesthetics.
Logo & Essentials — Everyday Chantecler Elegance
This line represents the more minimalist and versatile side of the brand. Logo & Essentials is designed for everyday wear, without losing Chantecler’s identity.
It consists of fine necklaces, discreet earrings, delicate bracelets, and easy-to-combine rings. All pieces are characterized by a clean, balanced design; smaller dimensions; and an emphasis on the Chantecler logo or on simplified iconic shapes.
It is the core collection, ideal for layering and mixing and matching. It is aimed at a contemporary, urban audience that appreciates discreet luxury jewelry suitable for everyday wear.
The Chérie Collection — The Pearl Reinvented
With Chérie, Chantecler offers a modern reinterpretation of the pearl, freeing it from classical conventions and giving it a fresh, feminine, and slightly playful air.
Pieces in this collection include necklaces with asymmetrical pearls, unconventional earrings, bracelets, and rings with freely set pearls.
Distinctive features include pearls combined with gold, diamonds, or graphic elements; creative, sometimes surprising settings; and proportions that create a relaxed, informal effect.
Chérie is the collection that speaks to contemporary femininity—elegant, yet free of rigidity. It is ideal for the woman who desires a classic jewel reinterpreted in a modern and personal way.
Chantecler Today — Luxury with Identity
Although today it is present in the major capitals of luxury—from Milan to Tokyo—Chantecler has remained deeply connected to Capri, both as a place and as a source of inspiration.
Each jewel carries within it a part of the island’s light, color, and energy, transforming metal and precious stone into pure emotion.
Chantecler Capri does not create jewelry to impress through opulence, but to seduce through personality. It is a solar, optimistic, profoundly Italian luxury—a luxury that does not take itself too seriously, yet rigorously respects the art of authentic jewelry.
