The goldsmith’s business, from which it originated the story that brought me here today, began around the 1930s by the work of Attilio Cera. At that time, he was an employee at a shop in Piazza Erbe, in Verona.
Those were troubled and demanding years and, with the Faith Day, an intense period of work opened up for Attilio, since it was asked to goldsmiths to make lighter faiths to be delivered to the State: it was the time of the Gold to the Fatherland.
In 1939, Attilio Cera opened his goldsmith’s shop in Via Trota, in the center of Verona. Those were hard years that saw him displaced in Aselogna, in the Bassa Veronese, from where he left every day by bicycle to reach Verona, with his values in his shoes. A few years later, he moved his business to Via Interrato dell’Acqua Morta, in Piazza Isolo.
In the same period, another young man, fatherless, Francesco Compri, began his career as a goldsmith. After various work experiences in local companies, Francesco met Attilio, who shared his same passion and who supported him and sustained him almost like a father. In 1967, Francesco continued the business begun by Attilio. During the economic boom years, Francesco kept his “creative soul” alive and continued to be an artisan, contrary to the most of the goldsmiths who became real traders instead.
From the marriage with Maria Rosa, Monica and Simone were born in 1968 and 1972 and, a few years later, Francesco moved to Via Fratelli Corrà, in Borgo Milano. During those years, I, Simone, slowly began to develop the same passion of my dad. I attended the Vicenza Goldsmith School and started my professional career. First, I worked at the Carlo Weingrill Firm in Verona for a year and then, since 1991, in the family workshop.
After a professional debut side by side with dad and after being the witness of my father’s enthusiasm, creativity and hard work, I decided to perfect my studies and my research and I found my expressive vein in the production of these mirrors.
Since 2015, I carry on my business in the workshop in San Massimo, in Via Oliosi 1, which is a space dedicated to jewelry, in its various shades, and to these 925 silver plate, or pure silver, framed mirrors, completely handmade.
Having perfected my style gave me the possibility of putting Life and Emotions in what I create, making each product unique. From those years where it all have begun, it remains today the pride to have been witness to a great passion and the wish to carry on the business in the most possible handcrafted and creative way.
This paper is a dedication to those who, day after day, have worked tenaciously, unaware that almost a century later their work is still carried on.
Simone Compri. prima