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Florence, Master, Silver
Paolo Pagliai
The art of silversmithing at the time of the “fiaccherai”.
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News
May 2023
The Cologni Foundation named Altagamma Honorary Member 2023
Rome, Communication
At Palazzo Colonna, in the heart of Rome, the ceremony for the investiture of the 2023 Honorary Members of Fondazione Altagamma took place on Monday 15th May.
May 2023
“Artigiano e Palazzo”: last days to apply for the 2023 edition!
Florence, Exhibition, Landscape
The 29th edition of “Artigianato e Palazzo. Artisanal workshops and their commissioners” will take place from 15 to 17 September 2023 inside the Giardino Corsini, one of the most fascinating gardens in Florence.
April 2023
Record numbers for “Doppia Firma” 2023
Milan, Exhibition, Metal, Glass, ceramics
Great success for the seventh edition of the "Doppia Firma" exhibition, in the context of "Arts & Crafts & Design" at Palazzo Litta, Milan: 22,500 visitors were welcomed, during the 6 days of the Design Week.
April 2023
Online the profiles of “A School, A Job” apprentices
Milan, Communication
On the website dedicated to the project “Una Scuola, un Lavoro. Percorsi di eccellenza”, the profiles of the apprentices selected for the 2022/2023 edition are now available.
April 2023
“Artigiano del Cuore” contest, 2023 edition: applications open from 5th May
Milan, Contest, Ceramic, Wood, Communication
The 6th edition of “Artigiano del Cuore”, a contest promoted every year by the Fondazione Cologni and the Wellmade platform, is underway.
April 2023
MIDeC in collaboration with Triennale Milano
Milan, Exhibition, Ceramic
From 13th May to 9th July 2023 the MIDeC, Museo Internazionale del Design Ceramico, in collaboration with Triennale Milano, presents "La SCI Società Ceramica Italiana alla 1ª Mostra biennale delle arti decorative internazionali di Monza, Maggio 1923".
Interviews
Paolo Pagliai
Florence, Master, Silver

Laura Inghirami, journalist and advisor specialized in the jewelry sector, and Founder of Donna Jewel, interviewed, for the Cologni Foundation, the Master artisans who have been awarded as “MAM – Master of Arts and Crafts”, in the category: Jewelry - Silversmithing – Goldsmithing.

“The “fiaccherai” - says Master​​ Paolo Pagliai – were the old-time drivers of horse-drawn carriages. In the 40s, my father Orlando Pagliai, founder of the family company, used to give them his hand-written business cards to be distributed, and also to be known and find customers." This is the old-time, fascinating story of Paolo Pagliai, Florentine craftsman, awarded MAM - Master of Arts and Crafts, specialized in the production and processing of silverware, as well as in the restoration and the creation of unique pieces on request. Nowadays Pagliai’s silverware is a reference point of excellence, and it has been recognized as a prestigious Florentine Historical Business. "I'm Orlando Pagliai, the silversmith who worked at Rogai’s: if you need me, you will find me in Costa San Giorgio, 77" – as it was reported on those business cards.

Davide Furno
Biella, Masters, Sculpture

Davide Furno is a true master of wax.
He was the first in Italy to give new life and dignity to wax modeling, thus recovering an ancient and completely forgotten technique: this is a discipline that, with the help of waxes, natural resins, plasters and powders, gives life to flowers and fruit, that can be combined into extraordinary compositions. With this process, and thanks to secret recipes he learned during years of study, research and experimentation, Davide Furno is able to create true masterpieces of still life, refined and hyper-realistic, which make any environment magical and poetic.

Natsuko Toyofuku.
Milan, Master, Jewelry, Jewellery

Laura Inghirami, journalist and advisor specialized in the jewelry sector, and Founder of "Donna Jewel", nterviewed, for the Cologni Foundation, the Masters who have been acknowledged as “MAM – Master of Arts and Crafts”, in the category: Jewelry - Silversmithing - Goldsmithing.

We are in Corso Como, Milan, in ​​​​​Natsuko Toyofuku's Atelier, a sophisticated place where the distant charm of Japan meets Milan and Western culture, with experimentation and artistic ferment. Here Natsuko Toyofuku, awarded with the title of MAM - Master of Arts and Crafts, shows us her hand-crafted creations in bronze and silver, sometimes enlightened by colored enamels and unusual stones. Contemporary, sculptural works, always out of the box: Natsuko Toyofuku doesn’t want to conform to the rules of classic jewelry, she rather wants to overcome them.

Giovanni Poggi
Albissola Marina, Master, Ceramic

The history of “Ceramiche San Giorgio” started with the dream of a boy, Giovanni Poggi, who wanted to be a ceramicist and to open an important workshop.
He decided to do it in his hometown, Albisola, a Ligurian city with a long artisanal tradition: the San Giorgio factory opened its doors in 1958, thanks to the partnership between master artisan Poggi and his two collaborators, Eliseo Salino and Mario Pastorino.
 Albisola was a great place for experimenting and re-inventing the art of ceramics, and Giovanni Poggi's workshop was one of the protagonists of this revolution. Numerous internationally renowned artists have worked in his furnace, and over the years it has been a true point of reference for Italian ceramics. Today, the history of the atelier continues with the same passion and consistency.

Saverio Pastor
Venice, Master, Wood

Saverio Pastor is one of the last "remèr" (oar maker) masters in Venice: an ancient trade, which was born in Venice many centuries ago, when mobility around the lagoon was entirely by rowing.
This noble craft is nowadays in danger of disappearing, because there are few craftspeople who are able to carry on this important know-how, and even fewer young talents who have the courage to invest many years in such a challenging job.
Nevertheless, this tradition is deeply rooted into the Venetian history and culture. 
Saverio Pastor trained alongside masters Giuseppe Carli and Gino Fossetta. In 2002 he opened his own workshop, "Le Forcole", specialized in the construction of oars and oarlocks for Venetian gondolas, according to traditional techniques dating back to the Renaissance.

Vincenzo Aucella
Torre del Greco, Master, Coral

Laura Inghirami, journalist and advisor specialized in the jewelry sector, and Founder of Donna Jewel, interviewed, for the Cologni Foundation, the Master artisans who have been acknowledged in 2022 as “MAM – Master of Arts and Crafts”, in the category: Jewelry - Silversmithing - Goldsmithing.

Vincenzo Aucella, Marketing Manager and Master artisan of Aucella, and President of Assocoral, awarded MAM - Master of Arts and Crafts, has accompanied us to discover the history of his family company, which is based in Torre del Greco (close to Naples), home to a fascinating centuries-old tradition, and specialized in the processing and production of corals and cameos. “Post Fata Resurgo”: this is the motto of the city, which, like the legendary phoenix, has always risen from the difficulties to build a future made of uniqueness, art and beauty.

Events