BREME (Pavia) – Behind the coffee bean, behind a cup of espresso, there is always a complex story, made up of many faces, many hands. One of these ones already contains in its name the fate of those who work with materials: Pietro Marmo, 63 years old. Since he was 15, he began learning the goldsmith’s art by marrying a tradition that was already consolidated in the Valenza del Po area.
His passion for manual skills, for the creation of precious objects accompanied him throughout his professional career, which soon led him from simple repairs to the production of different lines resulting from a study of the novelties on the fashion market. The unmistakable imprint of this designer and model maker then found its natural outlet in the coffee plant, from flower to wheat, which has inspired him from the late 90s to today. To the point of being able to define him as the goldsmith of the grain.
Imagine it like this, bent with your fingers to surgically handle pliers on diamonds and Arabica pendants.
Pietro Marmo, the artistic touch to industry
When the jewelry sector has experienced a critical moment, here it came the idea to remain unique and irreplaceable: to recover the coffee bean, which has always been present in Italian homes as a lucky charm with the name “chicca”, and give it new life as a model for entire lines of jewelry and objects aimed at companies.
An original opportunity for roasters and operators to boast about that “extra” to stand out at events, or among their employees and, even more so, with their most loyal customers. Cultivated over time by some of the best known brands in Italy, from Caffè Pedrocchi to Hausbrandt, up to Lavazza.
The smallest coffee maker in the world
But the real business card, to further prove his skill as a craftsman, comes with one of the household tools par excellence: the moka. Pietro Marmo takes up the challenge to be known in the coffee sector, with the creation of two microscopic coffee pots: first the 19 mm silver model and then the 18 mm gold one, they’re masterpieces not simply of jewelry but also of technique, and they really work. To experience the drinking of a few drops of coffee served from a moka that has a precious Indian diamond as a valve and an onyx handle and cap. The only flaw is that it is not for sale.
From Breme around the Fairs
A journey that took him throughout the country, from North to South directly in contact with all the roasters, offering his coffee beans in gold and silver: real “gems” not only valuable in the invoice but also in the presentation. In fact, Pietro Marmo is an esthete and always thinks of details: it is he who provides that cuddle of orificeria to give to his customers, already packaged, personalized, all from the hands and creativity of the master jeweler. Each of its products is a unique piece, which recalls the tradition of made in Italy craftsmanship for which Italians are famous all over the world.
And although he himself defines himself as an endangered species, often overcome by the use of technology, the goldsmith of the grain does not give up, indeed, he persists precisely in this other critical moment of the economy.
In fact, the lack of events and anniversaries put his profession to a severe test, but, as he himself states with conviction: “Precisely because there is this crisis, it is time to push to retain and reward the customers who remain.” And coffee, as all enthusiasts and professionals know, is not something that is simply drunk: it is lived, felt, worn, offered. And it must be of quality, without compromise, even when it’s a pin on the jacket.
The reproduction of the green bean in precious materials is a dialogue with past generations
As Pietro Marmo explained, when he started his career, he immediately had to deal with the roasters, and together they dusted off the family roots around, once again, the coffee bean. And now the exchange rite between past and present is repeated again, with the children and grandchildren of its first customers. A discourse that continues thanks to the evolution of his technique.
Thus the grain in gold and silver finds an innovative and, once again, pioneering shape in the filigree painted with transparent color and the cathedral enamel technique. Pendants, bracelets, rings, key chains, cufflinks, spoons: there is no lack of ideas and neither is experience.
Pietro Marmo, as we have already said, a name, a destiny
Words are no longer needed to tell what aesthetically tells itself. His creations are available on the site and even better highlighted on the Facebook page Pietro Marmo Design.
