Zendrini History
The history of Zendrini can be traced back to the post-World War 1 era when Amabile Zendrini, a noblewoman of Venetian origin, inaugurated the first Zendrini Shop in Turin, Via Santa Teresa 3.
Amabile’s daughter, Carla Zendrini, continued the family business in the 1920’s and 30’s, years of economic uncertainty, political turmoil and protectionism. Carla expanded the business and became herself a precious and friendly advisor to aristocratic and industrial families of Northern Italy. In the 1960s, at a time when Torino was considered the richest city in Italy and home to many entrepreneurs, she was among the first Italian businesswomen to understand the rarity of vintage jewels, especially those created by the great French ateliers. For thirty years Carla thus traveled the world in search of the rarest and most precious stones and Zendrini became a prestigious lounge and meeting point in the city center.
It was Carla’s son Carlo who made Zendrini known to elite collectors all over the world. In the early 1990s Carlo moved to Rome and opened a Zendrini boutique in Via Condotti, Rome’s most prestigious street, first in partnership with Cartier and then with Van Cleef and Arpels. Alongside Rome, Carlo soon opened stores in Porto Cervo and Monaco, building a unique collection of precious gems and jewels. Linked to names such as Cartier, Van Cleef & Arpels, Chaumet and Bulgari, the Zendrini collection has appeared in the most prestigious international exhibitions, such as the Biennale des Antiquaires in Paris, the Biennale of Rome, Top Marques and many others. Between 10 and 30 pieces of the Zendrini collection are routinely asked to be exhibited by the major heritage museums of the most luxurious jewellery brands.
Based in Monte-Carlo, in Avenue de l’Hermitage, 1, Zendrini is managed today by Carlo’s two sons, Bernardo and Ferdinando. Representatives of the fourth generation, Bernardo and Ferdinando, bring to the table a fresh mix between novelty and tradition. Zendrini thus continues to be a point of reference for all those who value jewels as both ornament and works of art, capable of reflecting everlasting charm. Jorge Luis Borges, renowned Argentine poet, once said: “Without charm all the rest is useless”.
