Antonino Amato: Master Silversmith
Description
Antonino Amato: Master Silversmith
----------------
Technical sheet prepared by: Region of Sicily - Department of cultural heritage and Sicilian identity - CRicd: Regional center for inventory, cataloging and documentation and Sicilian regional film library
149
Antonino Amato: Master Silversmith
REI - Book of Living Human Treasures
25-05-2011
Living human treasure
Palermo
Palermo
Nino Amato
Born in 1941, at the age of nine, at the same time as his school studies, he began his artistic training at the workshop of his maternal grandfather Antonino Siddiolo, an appreciated and well-known craftsman of the time, where he acquired traditional metalworking and banqueting techniques. Palermo silversmith. At the age of fourteen he moved to the shop of his uncle Giuseppe Siddiolo and, on the advice of his grandfather, he began studying the chisel at the Masters Palermo, Tabascio and Rossi at via Polacchi, the current via Guardione. Early on he learns the art of chiselling and, while following the laboratory of Palermo, Tabascio and Rossi, every day he spends a few hours at the workshop of the master chiseller Giuseppe Scafidi in via Argenteria vecchia near the famous church of Sant'Eligio (patron saint of goldsmiths and silversmiths), especially to learn the "hammer blow" of the most famous master.
In the same years he met Avv. Catinella, a connoisseur of the history of the workers, for which he carries out the first restorations, specializing in the sector.
For twelve years he engaged in the production of serial silverware at the Argenti Di Cristofalo company, but not satisfied with his role and encouraged by his family, around the 60s he decided to set up his own business by inaugurating his first shop in via Ambra n. 3 in which he will mainly specialize in the production of liturgical silverware. In 1974 he obtained the license and the brand, a star followed by the number 102 PA. From 1976 he moved his laboratory to Palazzo Pantelleria, in piazza Giovanni Meli n. 5, where he still works today with his staff assisted by his daughters Angela and Maria Maddalena born from the marriage with Rosaria Saccone. Since 2011 it is the "Living Human Treasure".
In the same years he met Avv. Catinella, a connoisseur of the history of the workers, for which he carries out the first restorations, specializing in the sector.
For twelve years he engaged in the production of serial silverware at the Argenti Di Cristofalo company, but not satisfied with his role and encouraged by his family, around the 60s he decided to set up his own business by inaugurating his first shop in via Ambra n. 3 in which he will mainly specialize in the production of liturgical silverware. In 1974 he obtained the license and the brand, a star followed by the number 102 PA. From 1976 he moved his laboratory to Palazzo Pantelleria, in piazza Giovanni Meli n. 5, where he still works today with his staff assisted by his daughters Angela and Maria Maddalena born from the marriage with Rosaria Saccone. Since 2011 it is the "Living Human Treasure".
-
conservative
Antonino Amato, master silversmith from Palermo, continuer of the historical workmanship of the city of Palermo
Among the Palermo silversmiths still active and guarantors of the continuity of the noble Palermo silversmith tradition is Maestro Antonino Amato, "living human treasure" since 2011 in the Registry of Intangible Heritage. Antonino Amato's mastery and knowledge are expressed in an artistic creativity that skilfully combines ancient techniques with the latest technological innovations in the silverware sector.
It was during his apprenticeship at the workshop of his maternal grandfather that the young Antonino became aware of his interest in the silversmith's activity and, thanks to his extraordinary manual skills, early acquired a particular sensitivity in the formal execution of precious artifacts. In his laboratory, today one of the best known in Sicily and beyond, ancient and modern knowledge converge that result in the creation of art objects in forms and styles traditionally widespread in Sicily, both for individuals and for high ecclesiastical commissions, becoming part of the Sicilian reality also on the occasion of important restorations. Among those personally performed by the master are: the Hanging lamp of the chapel of S. Rosalia of the Cathedral of Palermo created in collaboration with the master chaser Giuseppe Scafidi, il Mantle of the Immaculate Madonna of Caltanissetta, the copper bust of the Madonna of the Belt of the Church of S. Nicolò di Tolentino in Palermo, the silver frame of the Madonna of Miracles of Collesano, theUrn of St. James in Caltagirone, theUrn of San Giusto di Misilmeri and in 1997, in collaboration with the master engraver Benito Gelardi, the Statue of the Madonna of the Mercy of Palermo.
Although technological progress has changed the technical procedures of realization, in the master's workshop it is still possible to witness the ancient artistic techniques of cuttlefish bone (now almost supplanted by investment casting), agmin, filigree, granulation, engraving. , of the overhang and of the chisel.
The same work tools such as burins, dies, dies and molds, today produced by specialized industries, are still customized by hand to give the creations a unique and personal touch. This is often accompanied by a variegate Revival of styles from baroque, to rococo, to neoclassicism according to the client's request (just as it happened in the workshops of the ancient workers). The prestigious dexterity of him counts him, today as one of the major prosecutors of the ancient Palermo craftsmanship active in Palermo since 1447.
It was during his apprenticeship at the workshop of his maternal grandfather that the young Antonino became aware of his interest in the silversmith's activity and, thanks to his extraordinary manual skills, early acquired a particular sensitivity in the formal execution of precious artifacts. In his laboratory, today one of the best known in Sicily and beyond, ancient and modern knowledge converge that result in the creation of art objects in forms and styles traditionally widespread in Sicily, both for individuals and for high ecclesiastical commissions, becoming part of the Sicilian reality also on the occasion of important restorations. Among those personally performed by the master are: the Hanging lamp of the chapel of S. Rosalia of the Cathedral of Palermo created in collaboration with the master chaser Giuseppe Scafidi, il Mantle of the Immaculate Madonna of Caltanissetta, the copper bust of the Madonna of the Belt of the Church of S. Nicolò di Tolentino in Palermo, the silver frame of the Madonna of Miracles of Collesano, theUrn of St. James in Caltagirone, theUrn of San Giusto di Misilmeri and in 1997, in collaboration with the master engraver Benito Gelardi, the Statue of the Madonna of the Mercy of Palermo.
Although technological progress has changed the technical procedures of realization, in the master's workshop it is still possible to witness the ancient artistic techniques of cuttlefish bone (now almost supplanted by investment casting), agmin, filigree, granulation, engraving. , of the overhang and of the chisel.
The same work tools such as burins, dies, dies and molds, today produced by specialized industries, are still customized by hand to give the creations a unique and personal touch. This is often accompanied by a variegate Revival of styles from baroque, to rococo, to neoclassicism according to the client's request (just as it happened in the workshops of the ancient workers). The prestigious dexterity of him counts him, today as one of the major prosecutors of the ancient Palermo craftsmanship active in Palermo since 1447.
Compare cards:
Charm, Maria. 1974. Sicilian goldsmith's art from the XNUMXth to the XNUMXth century, Palermo: SF Flaccovio.
Charm, Maria. 1976. The Brands of Sicilian silver and goldsmiths, Busto Arsizio (MI): Bramante.
Barraja, Silvano. 2010. The marks of the silversmiths and goldsmiths of Palermo from the seventeenth century to today, Palermo: Publisher.
Di Natale, Maria Concetta, edited by. 1989. Gold and silver of Sicily from the fifteenth to the eighteenth century, exhibition catalog, Milan: Electa.
Vitiello, Louis. 1995. Modern goldsmithing. Technique and practice, Milan: Hoepli.
Maestro Antonino Amato was a teacher at the Arces Training School in courses for graduates and graduates; teacher of the project "Artistic techniques of Sicilian goldsmithing", Region of Sicily PO FSE 2007/2013 Notice 6/2009 "Antichi Mestieri", Regional Department of Education and Vocational Training, Department of Education and Vocational Training; teacher of the II level Master STOre "History and Technologies of Goldsmithing" - Master Code M291, 1st and 2nd edition, 2007.IT.051.PO.003 / IV / I2 / F / 9.2.14 / 1388 - POR Sicily 2007/2013.
The laboratory is located in piazza Giovanni Meli n. 5, Palermo. In 2013, on the occasion of the SS. Mass of Sant'Eligio, patron saint of goldsmiths and silversmiths, the master Amato and the master silversmith Piero Accardi, created the medals of Sant'Eligio commissioned by the Mayor of Palermo and presented during the event The ways of gold and silver sponsored by the same Municipality.
In 2014 the "Sara Amato Prize" was established for the best liturgical chalice made by young artists from Palermo, an award created within the project The Genius of Palermo - Evolved Social District - Beauty will save the world, with the support of the Con il Sud Foundation. On this occasion the master made the chalice based on the winner's design.
Chiara Dell'Utri
AdS: Ark of Sounds Archive
The master silversmith Antonino Amato - CRICD tape collection
92
Mariano Armanno: Panararu
REI - Book of Living Human Treasures
13-04-2007
Living human treasure
Palermo
Alia
Web card insertion: Ignazio Caloggero
Photos:
Information contributions: Ignazio Caloggero / Web
Note: The populating of the files of the Heritage database proceeds in incremental phases: cataloging, georeferencing, insertion of information and images. The cultural property in question has been cataloged, georeferenced and the first information entered. In order to enrich the information content, further contributions are welcome, if you wish you can contribute through our area "Your Contributions"
Go to Google Maps
Send a notice to the publisher
[contact-form-7 id="18385"]