Copper processing
The copper processing of Bottega Lu Fraili is purely manual: it starts from raw slabs of copper and then they are hand-drawn to create different works. Among them: light appliques, ornamental objects such as low reliefs, high reliefs, floral sculptures and many other artistic works.
After the planning and the design of the work, it is necessary to cut the copper with steel chisels that are forged by hand by Davide Solinas. He uses various types of chisels: cutting, engraving and tunneling.
After the slab is cut off, it is necessary to carve it to give it the desired shape.
The third phase is the embossing stage, that gives the three-dimensionality at the work, to make it an object similar to the reality. The last phase is the assembly one: different parts of the work are linked with the help of copper rivets which is a very ancient and effective system.
Copper is never painted, of course, but is left in the natural state.
Copper is a very valuable raw material (also called "red gold") and its processing is a very difficult work: it’s not allowed margin of errors and this makes its use almost a “magic” practice and with an archaic flavor of old times and place
Iron processing
Bottega Lu Fraili has two types of iron processing: cold processing and hot forging. For the first one, the activity includes both the rough iron plate and the sections of full iron processing, which is hammered and shaped with various bends.
Iron processing is obviously done by hand. The work of the rough sheet is similar to the one of copper: designed by hand, cut with chisels, engraving and baking.
Hot forging, on the other hand, is carried out with systems and techniques that were also used in the Middle Ages: iron is heated with the help of a mold to feed coal, that reaches 1,300 degrees. After this, all types of full iron are modeled quickly and repeatedly reintegrated into the fire. This stage also includes the burning of slabs.
In the several years of experience, Bottega Lu Fraili has created different kind of iron works: bedheads inspired by the Seventeenth and Eighteenth Century; appliques; decorative elements like railing, gates, bathroom accessories, mirrors, bedside tables, fireplace and various types of sculptures. All the works have been designed and created in an original way by Davide Solinas.
Hand painting
The painting and hand-decoration of the Bottega Lu Fraili are a unique technique as the works are painted with oil, with high quality colours and pigments. Colours are used in an original and artisan way.
Different shades and original decorations are used on different works such as appliques, bedheads, ornamental objects and many more. This makes it possible to match different works in several furnishings of private villas or houses, thanks to the right colour and originality of the shades.
The colour and the oil decoration of Bottega Lu Fraili's works makes every single piece special, giving it uniqueness and inimitability.
