Morins Jewellery: a symbol of tradition with a modern twist

Far more than just gold and enamel earrings, Morins are treasured by many in the Engadine as a cultural legacy passed from mother to daughter. Featuring the head of a dark-skinned figure, Morins are an Engadine icon, symbolising deep-rooted identity. The Engadine's love of Morins, as documented in Dolf Kaiser’s book* on Graubünden’s confectioners, is said to have begun in Venice. During the 17th and 18th centuries, many people moved from canton Graubünden to Venice to earn a living, particularly in confectionery but also working as shoemakers and other professions. However, in 1766, Venice withdrew the economic privileges of the people from Graubünden, removing their livelihood almost overnight. Expelled within months, they spread across Europe, taking their Morins with them. The Morins remained as a symbol of solidarity for those expelled from Venice. When two women wearing the earrings met, it acted as a secret signal of shared heritage. Yet how the Morins became a cultural ...