Where the Atlantic Meets the Amazon: Silvia Furmanovich Unveils a Breathtaking Nantucket-Inspired Collection
This summer, the timeless charm of a New England island finds an extraordinary new voice. The salt-laced air, the cobblestone streets, and the quiet dignity of artisanal tradition that define Nantucket are being masterfully reinterpreted through the eyes of one of the world’s most innovative jewelry designers. In a landmark collaboration, Brazilian artist Silvia Furmanovich is set to debut an exclusive capsule collection with The Vault, Nantucket’s premier destination for exquisite jewelry, owned by the discerning Katherine Jetter. This is not merely a new line of jewelry; it is a transatlantic dialogue between two worlds of Artisanal Craftsmanship, a story told in gold, gemstones, and meticulously handcrafted wood.
The “Silvia Furmanovich x The Vault Nantucket” collection represents a profound meeting of minds and aesthetics. Scheduled for a grand unveiling at the prestigious Nantucket by Design fair from July 14 to 17, the collection promises to be a highlight of the summer season. Following its debut, these wearable works of art will be available exclusively at Jetter’s boutique on the island, offering visitors and collectors a unique opportunity to own a piece of this remarkable fusion.
The Soul of Nantucket: An Island’s Heritage Cast in Gold
To understand the depth of this collection, one must first understand the soul of Nantucket itself. Far more than just a summer retreat, the island is a living museum of American history and craft. Furmanovich, known for her deep reverence for ancestral techniques, found a powerful source of inspiration in the island’s unique artistic legacy.
The Legacy of the Lightship Basket
At the heart of the collection lies a tribute to Nantucket’s most iconic craft: the lightship basket. These are not ordinary baskets. Their story is woven into the very fabric of the island’s maritime history. Originating in the mid-19th century, these baskets were crafted by crewmen stationed on lightships—floating lighthouses—during long, isolated months at sea. Using rattan cane woven around sturdy oak staves and a solid wooden base, they created objects of both utility and incredible beauty. The precision, patience, and artistry required to make a single basket became a hallmark of Nantucket craftsmanship, a tradition passed down through generations.
Furmanovich, whose own work is a testament to meticulous detail, saw an immediate parallel. “I have long admired the artisanal traditions of Nantucket—especially the island’s storied basketry, which resonates deeply with my own commitment to preserving and reinterpreting ancestral crafts,” Furmanovich explained. “The care and precision found in Nantucket’s handwoven forms speak to the same values that guide my work, from marquetry to goldsmithing.”
In her hands, this rustic tradition is transformed into objects of breathtaking delicacy. She has reimagined the iconic baskets in miniature form, creating earrings, pendants, and clutches that capture the texture and form of the originals. Instead of rattan, one might find threads of 18k gold intricately woven, or panels of wood marquetry that mimic the basket’s signature weave, all rendered on a scale that defies belief.
The Island’s Visual Language: Hydrangeas, Gates, and Ponderosa Motifs
Beyond the baskets, Furmanovich has drawn from the wider visual tapestry of Nantucket. The collection features designs inspired by the island’s ubiquitous hydrangeas, which bloom in riotous clouds of blue, purple, and pink all summer long. These floral motifs are not simply rendered; they are brought to life with vibrant gemstones like pink tourmaline and sky blue topaz, their facets catching the light like dewdrops on a petal.
The iconic white gates and picket fences that frame Nantucket’s charming, shingle-style homes also find their way into the designs, their clean, elegant lines providing a graphic counterpoint to the more organic forms. These elements, along with mysterious “Ponderosa motifs” that hint at the island’s natural landscapes, create a holistic portrait of the place, capturing its architecture, its flora, and its unique, understated spirit.
Silvia Furmanovich: A Global Artisan’s Journey
To appreciate this collection fully is to appreciate the artist behind it. Silvia Furmanovich is not just a jeweler; she is a storyteller and a cultural conservator. Hailing from a line of Italian goldsmiths who settled in Brazil, craftsmanship is in her blood. For 25 years, her eponymous brand has been celebrated for its audacious fusion of ancient, often forgotten techniques with a bold, contemporary design sensibility.
The Signature Art of Marquetry
Her most famous signature is her pioneering use of wood marquetry in high jewelry. Traditionally an art form reserved for furniture and decorative objects, marquetry involves inlaying small, precisely cut pieces of different woods to create an intricate picture or pattern. Furmanovich has adapted this painstaking technique to the miniature scale of jewelry, creating stunningly detailed scenes on earrings, bracelets, and clutches. She sources sustainable wood from the Amazon rainforest and works with local artisans to bring her visions to life, creating a virtuous cycle of creativity and preservation. This deep connection to natural materials and indigenous craftsmanship is precisely what allowed her to see the soul of the Nantucket lightship basket and connect with it on a fundamental level.
A four-time winner of the coveted Couture Design Award for Innovation, Furmanovich’s work is recognized on the world stage. Her pieces are held in the permanent collections of esteemed institutions like the Hispanic Society Museum in New York and the Minneapolis Institute of Art (MIA). This September, her remarkable career will be further immortalized with the publication of Journey of a Jeweler by Rizzoli, celebrating 25 years of her brand’s evolution.
The Collection: A Glimpse into Wearable Masterpieces
The 60-piece “Silvia Furmanovich x The Vault Nantucket” collection is a diverse treasure trove, encompassing not just jewelry but also clutches and picture frames. Each piece is a testament to the collaboration’s creative energy.
Imagine a pair of miniature painting earrings, crafted from 18k yellow gold. At their center is a delicate marquetry scene depicting a classic Nantucket cottage, its white gate rendered in mother-of-pearl. The scene is framed by a glittering halo of diamonds, with drops of ocean-blue topaz and soft pink tourmaline suspended below, echoing the colors of the island’s sky and hydrangeas.
Picture a clutch where the body is not leather or fabric, but a smooth, polished surface of wood marquetry that perfectly replicates the tight, intricate weave of a lightship basket. The clasp might be a miniature golden whale’s tail, another nod to Nantucket’s whaling history.
The price points, ranging from $1,500 for more accessible pieces to $20,000 for the most elaborate creations, reflect the immense skill, precious materials, and countless hours of artistry invested in each object. These are not fleeting trends; they are heirlooms in the making.
A Partnership Forged in Passion
This collection is the beautiful result of a partnership grounded in mutual respect and a shared vision. For Katherine Jetter, founder of The Vault, it represents the culmination of two of her greatest passions. An accomplished jewelry designer herself, Jetter has curated The Vault to be a haven for jewelry lovers, showcasing artists who push the boundaries of their craft.
“It feels very special to bring two of my loves—Nantucket and jewelry artistry—together with such an admired fellow designer,” Jetter stated. “Silvia’s ability to see the world through a lens of history and craft is unparalleled. Seeing her interpret the essence of this island has been a magical process. I cannot wait to share this collection with the world.”
The collaboration is a perfect synergy: Jetter’s deep, personal connection to Nantucket provided the intimate context, while Furmanovich’s global perspective and unique artistic language provided the transformative vision.
An Unforgettable Debut at Nantucket by Design
The collection’s launch is set to be a major event. On the first day of Nantucket by Design, a leading forum for creative minds, Furmanovich will participate in a high-profile panel discussion titled “Cross Roads: Global Inspiration Meets Fashion & Design.” Sharing the stage with fellow industry luminaries like JJ Martin of La DoubleJ and Veronica Swanson Beard, she will offer insights into her creative process and the power of cross-cultural inspiration.
For attendees and collectors, the event offers a chance to not only be the first to see and acquire pieces from this extraordinary collection but also to meet the visionary artist who brought it to life. It is a celebration of how a small island in the Atlantic can inspire a world-renowned artist from Brazil, proving that the language of true craftsmanship knows no borders.
