A story beginning in 1955
ARREDI SACRI BERTONCELLO, founded by Erminio Bertoncello,
a long-experience chiseller, ARREDI SACRI BERTONCELLO is consistently the leading company in the religious field, with its name being synonymous with excellence and handmade quality. Erminio’s first experience in the workforce arose in an artistic foundry in 1955: he worked with passion and quickly learned all of the techniques to melt bronze and brass. At night, he would attend a prestigious technical drawing and artistic school, deepening his studies in mechanical technology utilized in machine tools. Some years later, he had the opportunity to meet the master of art “Perlotto”, famous for his chiselling works.
Erminio became more and more passionate about this type of artistic manufacturing
and in a short time, he was able to chisel, among many figures, even sacred imagery skilfully. In 1965 he decided to work full-time, aiming to create and restore religious metal objects and articles, with the precious help of his wife, Angelina.
In 1985, Gabriele, Erminio's son completed his studies
and joined the company as an apprentice, introducing innovation in the technological and artistic field. During the day, Gabriele made the most of his studies, while also learning and improving his chiselling techniques handed down from his father, using a chisel and hammer to imprint his creativity into metal. Gabriele’s passion led him to continue his studies; he enrolled in the course “goldsmith engraver and setter” at the “Arte e Mestieri” school in Vicenza. There, he refined his ornate and figurative design, also acquiring new techniques with engraving and embedding through the use of a burin, fired metallic enamels, gemmology, etc. All these experiences are translated in the daily work of Erminio’s company, promoting new ideas and inspiration to create original and exclusive products, increasing the value of the production.
In 1989 in Vicenza, Fiera di Vicenza with the Diocese and Conferenza Episcopale founded an unprecedented exhibition event: “Koinè”.
The fair is dedicated to religious art, which year after year becomes more recognized and important in a national and international level. The Bertoncello company has participated since the first and every following edition, with innovative and high-end designs, each year increasingly conquering the esteemed trust of architects, designers, and representatives of the clergy.
The company is constantly evolving, the laboratory is expanded:
A lot of time is dedicated to the research and study of new ideas and innovative proposals in order to offer new products to an ever-increasing and demanding clientele.
The company invests in technology and innovation by purchasing modern and efficient CNC machines with CAD/CAM software
specific for artistic and mechanical applications that support "hand-crafted" work, a historical and current characteristic of the company. Tus, the company’s trademark is created.
The "Trademark" is filed with the "Patents and Trademarks" office
of the Ministry of Economic Development. Each item will be marked with the logo that identifies its origin, Made in Italy and Quality Guarantee.
A project to renovate and expand the premises is launched
thus allowing new spaces to be available to increase production. The project will be completed in 2016 with the installation of a photovoltaic system to produce clean energy from renewable sources.
The company purchases new machines with more advanced technology
To continue to have unique and particular pieces that are characterized across the world while also reducing time spent on labour. The innovation, however, still leaves room for the embossed chiselling that has distinguished us for over 50 years. The “hand-crafted” culture merges with the most evolved manufacturing techniques, combining past and present, a constructive comparison rich with references to forms and techniques that have allowed Italian production to be recognized worldwide as the most qualified.
In September of 2024, we obtained the Declaration of Conformity MOCA (Materials and Objects intended to come into Contact with Food)
This certificate guarantees that the cups of our chalices and pyxes plated in 24 Kr gold with certified thickness conform to food use. The cups are the same as always, but we believe having this declaration is very important, as it guarantees a product that is not harmful to the client’s health. Currently, the activity is being carried out with passion by the son Gabriele and the granddaughter Alice, assisted by Erminio’s good advice. Qualified people collaborate in both the technological and artistic fields. Arredi Sacri Bertoncello, thanks to its experience and commitment, has created unique works of fine artistic value that furnish churches all over the world with their quality and beauty.
