Though Menorca may be tiny – only about half the size of the Isle of Wight – it casts a long shadow in the artistic and cultural arena. Despite centuries of occupation by imperial powers, it has cultivated a style and aesthetic all of its own. Visitors to the island today will find an active and thriving contemporary jewellery scene, featuring truly remarkable pieces only to be seen in this unique place.
If you’re travelling to the Balearics and staying at a Menorca villa, you may be interested in having a look about town and a browse through the jewellery workshops and markets. In the past few decades several artisans have made names for themselves in the jewellery world, so keep an eye out for the work of these talented individuals.
Núria Deyà – Ferreries
If you’re renting a Menorca villa in the charming villa of Ferreries, nestled in the island’s green mountains, make sure to stop by the workshop of artisan jeweller Núria Deyà.
Born and bred on the island, Deyà studied at the Menorca School of Arts and Crafts, and later in the UK. Upon returning home, Deyà set up her workshop, where she creates her own designs with gold, silver and semiprecious stones, as well as with more unconventional materials such as hematite, titanium and niobium.
Deyà’s aesthetic is unmistakably Menorcan with a distinctly geometric touch. Into her designs she weaves the shapes of the curling waves crashing on the island’s beaches as well as the trees, leaves and petals of the interior forest. Deyà even has a collection featuring silver horses’ heads, a nod to the island’s famous steeds. Her unique style and impeccable craftsmanship have earned her the stamp of the ‘Artesania de Menorca’, a quality mark awarded to distinguish professional artisans like Deyà.
Santi Capó – Mahón
The quotations scrolling across Santi Capó’s website are an unapologetic introduction to the jeweller’s aesthetic. One from Plato reads simply: “Geometry existed before creation”.
Indeed, Santi Capó’s style is governed by simple and pure geometric shapes. He regards his pieces as miniature contemporary sculptures – sleek, bold and angular. Working mostly with gold, silver and palladium, Capó creates beautiful pieces that utilise the square, rectangle, circle and triangle in their purest form. In one piece, a chunky squared silver ring is topped with an audaciously off-kilter gold triangle. Part of the artist’s ‘Equilbrium’ theme, this ring and others in the series challenges the natural human urge to seek balance and symmetry in all things. If you’re leasing a Menorca villa in Mahón, it’s worth ducking into Santi Capó’s workshop to have a look at this artisan’s unique creations.
Isabel Mir – Ciutadella
Like Núria Deyà, Isabel Mir draws on Mediterranean inspiration in her bright and bold pieces. With collection themes ranging from ‘Sun and Shadow’ to ‘Constellation’, Mir imbues her creations with the sparkling landscape of Menorca. Though her pieces have a similar geometric aesthetic to both Deyà and Capò, they are significantly softened with gently scalloped edges and designs reminiscent of feathers and fish scales. Fun and feminine, Mir’s pieces are definitely worth a look if you’re staying at a Menorca villa in Ciutadella.
On this small island, a thriving arts and crafts community has created a distinct style. When you visit, make sure to browse through the markets and workshops to discover the true treasures of the Mediterranean.
Brenda Jaaback, Managing Director of Bartle Holidays, is a renowned Menorca expert. From its history to its people and from its wildlife to its cuisine – no secret of the island remains hidden to her. Personally selecting the finest properties for her clients, Brenda is the go-to person for anyone planning a relaxing holiday to Menorca.
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