Davide Salvadore

The artisan who plays with fire

• Davide spends six months a year teaching around the world
• His grandfather, a 'terrible but incredible' person, was his mentor
• His sons Mattia and Marco work with him

From one of the most important families (the Trippa) employed in glass art since the 17th century, Davide Salvadore was at a tender age when he started learning this millennia-old craft, a craft that is far from simple and requires deep knowledge. Davide was privileged to have his beloved grandfather as his teacher, a man with a strong personality who left a very deep mark on his grandson's life and education. Today, working alongside his two sons, Davide takes a different approach: he gives advice only on request. Because working with your family is anything but simple.

Interview

©All rights reserved

©All rights reserved

How did you train?

My family has been working with glass since 1650. When I was little, we were poor and I had to earn money as soon as possible. When I was ten, my father told me that he had a gift for me: 'Tomorrow morning at 6am, you start work in the furnace'. I think I was lucky; I didn’t waste time at school.

What was it like working with your grandfather?

He died 30 years ago, but I still find people telling me something about him. He was a bit of a playboy, he always joked. He was also illiterate and couldn't do maths, but he built the best furnaces in Murano, measuring them just with his hat! 'This oven,' he often said, 'is three hats large!'

What was the first object you made?

A clown. When I was 12 or 13 years old, our team produced 180-200 clowns a day. I brought one home and showed it to my grandfather. He didn't even look at it. I felt terrible, so I took it back. Only when I grew up did I realise my grandfather at that time was already seriously ill.

What should people understand about glasswork?

Either you start working glass as a child, or you'd better not. I’m only starting now to know it deeply. Glass differs from other materials. You can't start a job and interrupt it. Glass gives you a precise time; if you succeed in that time, it’s ok; if not, you have to throw the object away. It is a continuous challenge.

Davide Salvadore is a master artisan: he began his career in 1966 and he started teaching in 1998

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