





Paolo Mangano
Materie
Jewellery maker
Rome, Italy
Recommended by Fondazione Cologni Dei Mestieri D'Arte
Rhythm, hammer and fine gold
- Paolo's jewellery features natural materials and geometric structures
- Music and rhythm are intertwined with his creative process
- For him, tradition plays a vital role in shaping contemporary works
Paolo Mangano has dedicated his life to jewellery making and goldsmithing, researching pure form and exploring the potential of his materials. His atelier, Materie, is based in Rome where Benvenuto Cellini’s workshop once stood. This location choice reflects his deep bond with the culture, bridging Rome’s secular heritage with a restless contemporary inquiry. Paolo has established a long-standing partnership with Giorgio Vigna and regularly collaborates with other artists such as Ai Weiwei, Jannis Kounellis, Giulio Paolini, and Giuseppe Penone to bring their visions to life. A dedicated educator at IED Rome, he views the transmission of craft as a moral duty. In 2024, Paolo was awarded the title of Maestro d’Arte e Mestiere by the Cologni Foundation.
Discover his work
INTERVIEW
My path to goldsmithing was natural as I have always been creative. While Rome’s Art Institute was pivotal, my spark ignited at age 13 in a Valenza workshop. After shaping my identity in traditional boutiques and contemporary galleries during the 1990s, I found my voice. If I were not goldsmithing, I would be making music: a passion rooted in eight years of piano study at the conservatory.
Inspired by Italian Arte Povera, conceptualism and the raw structure of minerals, my work explores what is not immediately explicit. Through a rigorous analytical method, I alter volumes, juxtapose elements and trace the genesis of lines with geometric precision. The final aesthetic is the result of a long process of sedimentation and sublimation.
There is a physical musicality in a craftsperson’s work, such as in the meticulousness and rhythm of the hammer. The link between music and jewellery is mathematical: the golden ratio and the harmonies of a musical score are the same that govern a jewel's creation. Rhythm guides my hand every day. I still play the piano and keyboard with my daughter and friends.
You either learn the craft through a traditional workshop apprenticeship or by attending a specialised school. However, my main advice is to look beyond technical mastery. Developing a unique identity is vital. An artisan must cultivate a personal style and vision that transcends flawless manual execution.
Paolo Mangano
Materie
Jewellery maker
Rome, Italy
Recommended by Fondazione Cologni Dei Mestieri D'Arte
AVAILABILITY
Monday to Friday 09:00-17:00
LANGUAGES
Italian, English
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