The art of the Florentine goldsmiths dates back to the 12th-13th century and covers a range of techniques, such as open work, burin engraving, chasing, “niello”, damascening, “cesoro”, soldering, cuttlebone casting, crucible casting, and foil and wire lamination. Over the centuries, the techniques have been applied to both the manufacture of jewell...
READ MORECymbals are very ancient in origin: the prehistoric pair of cymbals on the mummy of an Egyptian religious musician displayed in the British Museum in London shows that they were in existence as early as 2000 BC. The manufacture of cymbals was concentrated in China and in Turkey, where methods were discovered to make this instrument more durable and...
READ MOREOver the centuries, Salento, the eastward-facing tip of Puglia, has been home to a succession of peoples that have left traces of themselves everywhere, engraving the signs of their presence in Lecce stone. They have carved their history on it, building dolmens, menhirs, forts and temples, as well as dwellings, villas, monuments and churches. It i...
READ MORECalvello, in the heart of Basilicata, is a mountain town immersed in the quiet of the past, where the art of ceramics is still being cultivated. The Benedictine monks of Faenza introduced the art of working with clay as far back as 1200. Since that time, entire generations of families have learned the craft and handed down its precious secrets. Th...
READ MOREln Trentino testimonies of metalworking appeared from the moment the man learned to use metals to build objects intended to meet the needs of everyday life. The mining and metalworking archaeology has provided many examples of a the processing of copper and other minerals in the mountains from the Valley of Mocheni to the plateau of Tesino. These m...
READ MOREThe tradition of the art of goldsmithery in Crotone is certainly not as ancient as the city, which was founded by Greek settlers in 710 B.C., but it can still boast of roots that extend far back into history. It also draws its inspiration from Magna Graecia, as demonstrated by the typical filigree and gold work that still bears traces of the style...
READ MOREThe period furniture tradition in Verona dates back to 1400, with the first artistic woodworking and inlaying, such as the precious inlaid wood choir of Santa Maria in Organo (VR) by the Olivetan monk Fra Giovanni. Another five centuries were to pass, however, before the organised production of period furniture began. The systemisation of the Veron...
READ MORETraces of historical kilns and various examples of archival evidence suggest that activities related to ceramics have taken place in Messina since the Arabic period. The first ceramic findings date back to the discovery of the old municipal cemetery (1878-1880), which represents the most authentic expression of the creativity of the craftsmen from...
READ MOREReps. Bill Pascrell (D-N.J.) and Mike Doyle (D-Pa.) won the annual congressional bocce tournament hosted at law and lobbying firm Venable LLP on Wednesday evening. The National Italian American Foundation (NIAF) sponsored the tournament, which began in 2012. The participants played bocce on the court on the roof of Venable's D.C. offices. Pascrell...
READ MOREThe manufacture of rush chairs dates back to the early nineteenth century, when the peasants of Maremma were called to work in the wetlands along the southern coast of Tuscany to pick cereals and river grass. These plants and grasses were harvested at different periods of the year, depending on their use. After a drying stage, they were worked by...
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