This rectangular frame was handcrafted from lime tree with handcarved curls and swirls finished with gold leaf. This piece is a copy of one of the several ancient frames kept in Palazzo Pitti, the historical residence of the Medici family in Florence. The frame is inspired by an original Florentine frame from the 17th century.
Length 33.5 cm
Width 4.5 cm
Height 30.5 cm
©Eleonora Birardi
©All rights reserved
©Eleonora Birardi
©Eleonora Birardi
Marco Castorina
- Castorina 1895
- Woodcarver
- Florence, Italy
- Master Artisan
- Recommended by Fondazione Cologni Dei Mestieri D'Arte
Contact
Italian, English
Hours:
Monday - Friday 9:00-13:00/14:00-18:00
Monday - Friday 9:00-13:00/14:00-18:00
Phone:
+39 055212885
+39 055212885
©Eleonora Birardi
A family story
- • Marco was awarded Master of Arts and Crafts
- • He represents the fourth generation of woodcarvers
- • His favourite wood is cypress
Now leading the family business, Marco Castorina represents the fourth generation of woodcarvers, more than a century after his great-grandfather founded Castorina 1895 in Sicily. Then the family moved to Florence, renewing the tradition of high carpentry. With the members of his artisanal team, Marco produces a wide range of strictly handmade items, from natural wood articles such as frames, bases and legs for tables, consoles and coffee tables to ready to buy pieces and bespoke objects and furniture, decorated with the traditional Florentine finishes: gilding, lacquering and painting. The workshop is also dedicated to the restoration of antiques. Marco was awarded Master of Arts and Crafts and was included in the Golden Book of Italian Artisan Excellence (October 2020).
Read the full interviewWorks
Photo: ©Eleonora Birardi
Pitti Frame
Photo: ©Eleonora Birardi
Cherub
This wall hung sculpture of a cherub’s head, entirely handcarved from lime wood, is inspired by a 18th-century Italian sculpture of angels. The cherub’s head is finished with a polychrome decoration with craquelé technique and gold leaf. Great attention has been paid to carving the details of the wing feathers and to the hair locks, both finished with gold leaf.
Length 24 cm
Width 17 cm
Height 26 cm
Photo: ©Eleonora Birardi
Sacred heart
This sacred heart is handcarved in Swiss pine and decorated according to the Florentine tradition with oxidized silver leaf. In the Italian tradition pieces like this one are often used as ex-voto which is a thanks offering to the Virgin Mary or a Saint for a grace received. Made by Castorina in different sizes and finishes, it is possible to personalise the heart with two initials.
Length 24 cm
Width 4 cm
Height 40 cm
Photo: ©All rights reserved
Sunburst Convex Mirror
This convex mirror is enclosed in a handcarved linden wood sunburst. The sunburst is inspired by a traditional Christian iconography, and this particular piece is inspired by pieces created in the 18th century. The decoration is made with mecca silver leaf, which gives it a colour similar to gold. Mecca finishing technique was originally invented as a cheaper substitute for gold. Mecca is created by combining different natural resins and is a typical traditional Florentine finishing.
Diameter 79 cm
Photo: ©All rights reserved
XVII Century Carved Frame
This hand-carved rectangular lime tree wood frame is inspired by original XVII century Florentine frames. This frame is finished with mecca silver leaf, which gives it a colour similar to gold and was originally invented as a cheaper substitute for gold. Mecca is created by combining different natural resins (gutta gum, dragon's blood, and others) and is a typical traditional finishing of Florence.
Length 23.5 cm
Width 4 cm
Height 26.5 cm
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