Founders
Co-founder, Mariana Antinori, owned a high-end Italian boutique next to the Guggenheim on Madison Avenue for many years and has become loved and respected for her discerning eye and divine taste. A devotee of style, Mariana is descended from 27 generations of a prominent Florentine family. A small world that has long proven elusive to outsiders, she is fortunate to enjoy unique insights into the ethos of Italy’s oldest families, as well as access to their private network of elite designers and craftspeople throughout Italy. Like the bond that passes down between generations of distinguished Italian families, Mariana is deeply connected to each of her talented designers.
Co-founder, Juan Prieto, first became interested in gemstones on a childhood trip to Brazil and other countries in South America. He began collecting semi-precious gem stones in his travels around the world and eventually started setting gems and pearls in his own unique designs. A graduate of Harvard Business School, Juan also brings financial acumen and analytical skills to the Domus Aurea team. He as bought and sold jewelry privately for clients for over 20 years, tracking pricing trends and advising on acquisitions and sales. For the past 30 years, Juan has also collected estate jewelry, watches and objects of vertu, focusing on Art Deco and Mid-Century designers. His collection includes pieces by Tiffany, Cartier, Van Cleef and Arpels, Asprey, Dreicer & Co, Buccellati, David Webb, Patek Phillippe, and Vacheron and Constantine. He has a particular talent for repurposing older jewelry in new and interesting ways.
DomusAurea Co-Founder, Lee Essex Doyle, is an artist who was raised traveling around the world with her parents and grandparents. She spent most of her childhood in east Africa running barefoot and collecting eggs like they were precious jewels! She comes from a long line of women who not only appreciated beautiful Art and Jewelry but have created significant personal collections of their own and through their influence, honed her discerning eye. Along with the jewelry design icons she has learned to appreciate, throughout her travels She has cultivated relationships with the new generation of talented artisans in Turkey, Spain, Italy, England and France. Lee brings her international sensibilities, artistic flair and passion for artistry to the DomusAurea mix.
Co-founder, Mariana Antinori, owned a high-end Italian boutique next to the Guggenheim on Madison Avenue for many years and has become loved and respected for her discerning eye and divine taste. A devotee of style, Mariana is descended from 27 generations of a prominent Florentine family. In small world that has long proven elusive to outsiders, she is fortunate to enjoy unique insights into the ethos of Italy’s oldest families, as well as access to their private network of elite designers and craftspeople throughout Italy. Like the bond that passes down between generations of distinguished Italian families, Mariana is deeply connected to each of her talented designers.
DomusAurea Co-founder, Juan Prieto, first became interested in gemstones on a childhood trip to Brazil and other countries in South America. He began collecting semi-precious gem stones in his travels around the world and eventually started setting gems and pearls in his own unique designs. A graduate of Harvard Business School, Juan also brings financial acumen and analytical skills to the DomusAurea team. He has bought and sold jewelry privately for clients for over 20 years, tracking pricing trends and advising on acquisitions and sales. For the past 30 years, Juan has also collected estate jewelry, watches and objects of vertu, focusing on Art Deco and Mid-Century designers. His collection includes pieces by Tiffany, Cartier, Van Cleef and Arpels, Asprey, Dreicer & Co, Buccellati, David Webb, Patek Phillippe, and Vacheron and Constantine. He has a particular talent for repurposing older jewelry in new and interesting ways.
Co-Founder, Lee Essex Doyle, is an artist who was raised traveling around the world with her parents and grandparents. She spent most of her childhood in east Africa running barefoot and collecting eggs like they were precious jewels. She comes from a long line of strong women who not only appreciated beautiful Art and Jewelry but have created significant personal collections. It is through their influence, Lee honed her eye. Along with the jewelry design icons she has learned to appreciate throughout her travels, she has cultivated relationships with the new generation of talented artisans in Turkey, Spain, Italy, England and France. Lee brings her international sensibilities, artistic flair and passion for artistry to the DomusAurea mix.