At AVM, we are first and foremost a house of treasures. Our curiosity extends beyond that which can be worn, to the beautiful, unusual and enduring pieces with which we surround ourselves: objects made to be used, admired, collected, and eventually passed on.
It follows that we approach our packaging with this same philosophy. Rather than something that serves merely to contain a piece, we see it as an opportunity to create another curio worth keeping and collecting, with a life beyond its original purpose. In this way, the packaging becomes another part of the cabinet: a lasting record of the world from which it came.
With every collection, we begin again, developing a new material language inspired by the civilisation, place or period we are exploring. The forms, materials and colours change with each collection and, once a chapter closes, are never repeated.
For Roma, that world takes shape in pewter and red silk.
We chose pewter for its utility, permanence, and heft. There was a particular pragmatism to Roman material culture: across the Empire, objects were designed not only to be seen, but to serve a purpose, endure use and, where possible, last. Roman craftsmanship often found beauty within this utility, bringing care and skill to even the objects of everyday life. Pewter felt particularly fitting in this context, with the Romans themselves using the alloy for functional objects including plates, bowls, jugs and other vessels.
Our boxes take their cue from this same marriage of function and form. Each is handcrafted for AVM at a foundry in Rhode Island, where the marks and subtle irregularities of the making process are allowed to remain, giving every one its own character.
Against the solidity of pewter, we chose vivid red silk. Colour was fundamental to the Roman visual world, where surfaces that we now encounter as bare stone were once richly painted and interiors were saturated with pigment. Red was particularly prominent; from the deep cinnabar walls of villas to textiles, ceremonial dress and the spectacle of public life, it was a colour associated with visibility, status and power.
Our choice of red draws on this visual language, with silk introducing a deliberate contrast in material: light versus weight, fluidity versus solidity. Custom-made in New York from 100% silk, each pouch brings a sense of richness and softness into the collection, reflecting a contrasting facet of the Roman world.
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