Venicio Bovo

Silversmith

The aesthetics of silver

Venicio founded Marven more than 40 years ago
Under the brand Ab-ove the family create unique silver and goldware
They collaborate with designers, architects and artists

The city of Padua has a great tradition in silverware, and in the second half of the 20th century it became the most important centre in Italy of avant-garde silver and goldsmith art. In that period, at the age of 11, Venicio Bovo started his apprenticeship in the workshop of Paolo De Zanetti, where he learned to emboss, chisel and all the traditional silversmithing techniques. In the late 1970s, after other significant experiences first under master Lorenzo Burchiellaro and later in one of the most important silverware companies of the region, Bovo decided to open his own workshop, and founded his brand Marven. Together with his son Enrico, himself a silver and goldsmith, he continues to cultivate his passion for silver and other precious metals, crafting objects for the home, sacred furnishings and jewels.

Interview

What makes the Padua style unique?: The Goldsmithing School of Padua was born from master Mario Pinton, who in the 1950s introduced his revolutionary aesthetic and operational philosophy. Like modern art, silverware changed its forms, becoming minimal, geometric, with clean shapes and new textures.
Did you train your son Enrico?: My son grew up in the workshop, which was his childhood playground. He graduated from the university of Ca’ Foscari before realising that his calling was silver. So he trained under master Graziano Visintin, who was also one of the pupils of Mario Pinton, and studied gemmology.
When did you start creating jewellery?: I used to make it for my friends, it was just a hobby. But when Enrico joined me in the workshop, he decided to dedicate himself to designing and crafting sculptural jewellery. This is how our jewellery brand Ab-ove came about.
In what way do tradition and innovation meet in your creations?: By combining ancient techniques together with the search for new constructive stylistic expressions. Our aim is to transform the encounter between our creations and our clients into an emotional and sensorial experience.

Venicio Bovo is a master artisan: he began his career in 1960 and he started teaching in 1970