Goldbeating: Last family that masters the craft

The Menegazzo family runs one of the world's last goldbeating operations. In Venice, Italy, Mario Menegazzo hammers bars of gold until they are so thin they become mere leaves – thinner than a human hair. The process beating gold until it obtains the delicacy required for use in gilding is hard work. Mario uses hammers that weigh up to 8kg to pound the gold into its leaf form. It’s then used for a range of purposes, such as artistic decoration.

For centuries, Venice used this precious metal to flaunt its wealth. The craft of goldbeating has been practiced there since the year 1000, when trade was booming. Now, very few craftsman's shops are left that still work gold by hand. Goldbeating – where the hand still trumps the machine – has almost died out.

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