A special jury composed of authoritative figures from the world of design and applied arts has selected the shortlist of 10 finalist works, projects of absolute excellence by Italian master artisans who took on Starhotels' new creative challenge with the theme "Souvenir of the Grand Tour."
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ARCHETIPI, DA POSEIDONIA A PAESTUM
“Archetipi, da Poseidonia a Paestum” is a collection of black porcelain table souvenirs celebrating Campania's technical and cultural heritage. Comprising five narrative elements inspired by artifacts from the Museum of the Paestum Archaeological Park, each piece is handcrafted and finished with a glossy, food-safe glaze. The design combines traditional and modern techniques, including digital modeling and 3D printing for mold creation.
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AMPHORA
"Amphora" is a work inspired by the ancient Roman tradition, with a circular, slender shape to facilitate the transport of liquids. The lid fits like a stopper, while an aluminum handle with coral decorations makes it easy to grip. The annular surface is crafted with an aluminum frame wrapped in handcrafted leather weaving, using the Legàmi technique to create a flexible and durable fabric.
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LA CONSAPEVOLEZZA
" La consapevolezza" is a decorative piece inspired by the whirls of Nuragic life, handcrafted from red clay and finished with white clay embroidery applied by brush. Waterproofed with a clear glaze, the work is enhanced with 24kt gold details applied in liquid form. It is finished with three firings: two at 1000°C and a final one at 700°C.
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ETEREO
"Etereo" is a hand-blown glass vase created using lampworking techniques, made from transparent aqua green glass and gold leaf. The process involves working with a torch that reaches temperatures of 2000°C. Inspired by the single-flower vases of Venetian tradition, it is reinterpreted in a contemporary style to express lightness and fragility, creating the illusion of a suspended object.
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LILLIPUT SORRENTINA. IL PRESEPE NAPOLETANO IN UNA MANO
The work is a terracotta miniature that harks back to the tradition of the Neapolitan Nativity scene, created by assembling small parts using simple tools like toothpicks and tweezers. After modeling, the gray clay is fired, transforming into the characteristic red-orange color of terracotta. The figures, ranging from one to fourteen centimeters in size, are joined with slip, and after firing, they form a single block.
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VENEZIA
"Venezia" is a sculpture made from refractory clay, left raw to highlight its texture and material. A clay vessel symbolizes space, while the stairs represent images of ascending and descending paths. From the depths of water to the heights of air, the work represents a link between water and sky, with the stairs descending from the earth into the water and then rising into the air, like a breath that reflects the sky from the earth to the sea.
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IL GIOIELLO PORTAGIOIE
“Il Gioiello Portagioie”, crafted in gilded silver and Mediterranean corals, is inspired by an ancient 18th-century chest housed in the Pepoli Museum in Trapani. Made using the rare 17th-century Trapani technique of reverse inlay, this piece evokes the golden age of "corallari," when works were created for royalty and cardinals. The RossoCorallo workshop restored the original and drew inspiration from it for this creation.
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BATTAGLIA DI ANGHIARI
“Battaglia di Anghiari” is an inlaid box made with various types of wood, including maple, lime, pear, cypress, oak, mahogany, light walnut, dark walnut, medium walnut, almond, cypress, and wenge. It consists of 900 pieces cut from different wood varieties, each approximately 3mm thick. The container is divided into two faces: one with a black background made up of 450 pieces, and the other with a white background, also consisting of 450 pieces. Some of the inlays have been painted, and the finish is achieved with de-waxed shellac and a neutral wax.
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FORCOLA DA PASSEGGIO
This work originates from the idea of transforming a gondola's stern oarlock into a walking stick. The National Macedonian walnut wood is cut and roughly shaped using a bandsaw. The upper part, the handle—oarlock, is handcrafted with a frame saw and two-handled tools. The lower part, the shaft, is worked with a plane and a hand plane. The entire piece is then finished with a scraper and sandpaper. The tip is finished with a layer of rubber and an anti-slip sole. The walking stick is finally treated with multiple coats of non-toxic outdoor oil and impregnant.
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VASO GEDDA
“Gedda” is a vase featuring an elegant, sinuous main body shaped on the wheel, reflecting Sardinian tradition, while the subsequently added plastic applications give the pitcher a modern and contemporary touch. The natural black color of the clay is preserved during the firing process at 990°C.
