Timeline

The Bajocchi tradition began in Rome in 1839. When Wenceslao Bajocchi an expert ivory carver started to work as a free-lance. In 1842, his reputation was established and he could count as clients Pope Gregory XVI,  Maria Luisa Bourbon Infant of Spain and Princess of Saxony and other illustrious personalities of the Roman Nobility.

His son Paolo, a talented goldsmith, came to Cairo in 1874 during the reign of Khedive Ismail. He established him self in the European district, at that time, of Mouski. Following the financial crisis of 1878, he returned to Rome and worked as technical director with the title Capo d'Arte "Master of Arts" of the goldsmith institute Pio IX.

In 1892, Paolo returned to Cairo under the rule of the Khedive Abbas Helmi II (1892-1914). This period is considered by the historians as the golden age of Egypt and Cairo in particular. Under these circumstances, Paolo opened an "Atelier" in Mouski.

In 1900, together with his three sons, Foscolo, Pietro and Romano, he founded "Fratelli Bajocchi" company. The original shop was located in "Bab el Hadid" street, near the world famous Shepheard's Hotel.
The Bajocchis were jewelers, goldsmiths and watchmakers. They had their own in-house workshop and produced  jewelry of exceptional beauty and flair. These were the "Belle Epoque" years.

After exciting the interest of scientists, platinum quickly won jewelers over as their preferred metal of choice. Malleable as well as supremely strong this "tour de force" enabled the necessary light weight, yet robust settings required by this style to be made the minimum of metal.

The family grew and there was the necessity to expand the business. In 1915, Foscolo and Pietro opened a new shop (at the actual location) in 13 Manakh street which subsequently became 45 Abdel Khalek Sarwat street. This was the elegant commercial center of the city: close to the Opera House and prestigious Continental Hotel and bordering the beautiful Ezbekeya Gardens. The vast new premises consisted of two floors which included the sales room and a large workshop where goldsmiths and gem setters could work in natural daylight.

The family grew and there was the necessity to expand the business. In 1915, Foscolo and Pietro opened a new shop (at the actual location) in 13 Manakh street which subsequently became 45 Abdel Khalek Sarwat street. This was the elegant commercial center of the city: close to the Opera House and prestigious Continental Hotel and bordering the beautiful Ezbekeya Gardens. The vast new premises consisted of two floors which included the sales room and a large workshop where goldsmiths and gem setters could work in natural daylight.

In 1922, after the death of Foscolo, Pietro became the sole owner of the Company. He was assisted by his son Guido and later by Raoul. In the same year, following the discovery of the Tomb of Tutankhamon, Pietro Bajocchi was the first in Egypt to craft jewellery in neo-pharaonic style. He also created the "Cartouche" which today is the symbol of Egyptian goldsmith art. He became a significant and talented goldsmith of the Art-Deco period. The same year Romano closed  the first shop and returned to Italy.

the discovery of Tutankhamen's tomb by Howard Carter and Lord Carnavon in 1922, Inspired Pietro Bajocchi to create jewellery in neo Pharaonic style. The world was seized by a pharaonic fever. Everybody wanted to own something Pharaonic. Pietro had a stroke of genius and designed the first gold cartouche on a ring. Today the cartouche is the symbol of Egyptian goldsmith sold to millions of .

In the early 1930’s, Pietro Bajocchi started the production of brooches and bracelets featuring antique coins. At that time, such coins were abundantly available and their trade free and unrestricted.These were intended mostly for the tourists residing in the nearby grand hotels.

The most commonly used were Greek silver coins known as “tetradrachms”, and bearing the effigy of Alexander the Great, Athena, or the Ptolemies. They were chosen for their beauty and historical significance. To better display the beauty of the coins, and to emphasize the contrast with the patina on the antique silver, they were mounted on a simple smooth gold frame, or two concentric gold frames separated by tiny beads ,which gave more importance to smaller coins. Gold Ptolemaic coins, known as “octodrachms” were also used. They were selected for their fineness and the beauty of the profile portrayed onto them.Gold coins were more challenging because of the need to differentiate the gold of the coin from that of the setting – a non-existent challenge with silver coins. This was resolved by setting them on a contrasting simple platinum frame, or a gold frame set with small diamonds as found today on the bezel of some high-end luxury watches.

Launching this production and the subsequent search for antique coins was the catalyst that fired the interest of Raoul Bajocchi, opening up new horizons for him. He was able to study and delve deeper into the world of old coins: “numismatics”. Years later Raoul Bajocchi was a leading numismatist.

On the 10th of June 1940, Italy declared war to France and Great Britain. At that time based upon the Anglo-Egyptian treaty of 1936, Egypt was under British control and the marshal law was applied since the outbreak of the war 1^st September 1939. The Italian community in Egypt was considered by the British as enemies and potential fifth columnist. As a consequence Italian businesses were sequestered and all male adults citizens, starting from the age of 18, were interned in internment camps for civilians in the desert of Fayed (called by the Italians Genefa), close to the bitter lakes. The company was sequestrated and all the Bajocchi's were interned till 1944.  After the end of the war it took four  long years to return in possession of the shop.

When Pietro Bajocchi died in 1950, the company passed to Guido and Raoul, who introduced numismatics as a secondary activity. The "1952 revolution" and the " 1956 war " were followed by a severe contraction of jewelry market. As a result Raul had to increase his numismatic activity to a professional level. He became member of the prestigious international Association of Professional Numismatists (IANP) in 1957, and he was appointed as an expert to the Cairo Courts of law thanks to his extensive professional qualifications. But that came to an abrupt end in 1972, when new regulations were enacted to forbid the trade in antique and old coins.

The early 1960's were turbulent years in the history of Egypt. in 1964 the generally unstable business climate forced Guido Bajocchi to move to Adelaide, Australia were he opened his own numismatic business.

Raul became the sole owner of the company, and also specialized in numismatics. He was joined in 1970 by his son Pietro who was trained in both numismatics and jewelry trade. Raoul retired in 1977 and died in Rome in 1981. Pietro was now left as sole owner of the company.

The introduction of new laws forbidding the trade of old coins (over 100 years old) prompted Pietro to abandon the company's classical numismatic activities, and concentrated his resources exclusively to the development of the jewelry sector.

In recognition for his achievements, in the promotion of Italian taste and culture, Pietro is awarded the title of "Cavaliere (Knighthood of the Order of Merit) of the Italian Republic." 

Pietro Bajocchi is again honored with the title of "Ufficiale" (Officer) of the same previous order.

The company is re-incorporated "Bajocchi Jewelers Ltd."

Pietro Bajocchi is bestowed the distinction of "Commander" (Knighthood of the Order of Merit) of the Italian Republic, directly conferred by the Italian President Ciampi.

Following his family tradition and enhancing it further, Raul graduated from the American University of Cairo with highest honors, and followed in the footsteps of the Bajocchi family by joining the family business.

He became a “Certified Diamond Grader” from the HRD institute in Antwerp and afterward worked as an apprentice with a “Master of Arts” in Italy to refine his skills in the art of fine jewelry making.

Combining the use if the latest technologies available in the industry with the traditional skills inherited through his ancestors, he was able to find the balance of originality and tradition. Thus, allowing a greater flexibility required by modern designs and increased quality.

Bajocchi celebrates 110 years. On this occasion, the Maison created an outstanding and impressive collection. 110 masterpieces are brought to life to commemorate this crucial moment of Bajocchi's history.

His Majesty King Albert II of Belgium, confers to Pietro Bajocchi the distinction of "Commandeur de l'Ordre de Leopold II" for his services to Belgium; in particular for introducing in Egypt the Hoge Raad voor Diamant (HRD) diamond certificate.

Pietro Bajocchi is awarded the second highest distinction of the Italian Republic: "Grand Officer of the Order of Merit".

On the 20th of December, Bajocchi opened a new branch at the heart of Cairo in Zamalek.

Dr. Naguib Mahfouz Award, is a yearly award of the department of Obstetrics and Gynecology of Kasr el Aini Medical School.

The bust and the medal have been crafted using several modern and ancient techniques, combined by the savoir fair of the Maison and the talent of Raul Bajocchi.

The master mold has been crafted by the talented Dr. Ahmed El Minawi. His time and workmanship are a gift to the family of Naguib Mahfouz Pasha