Mangiafuoco, or Fire-eater, a project by design duo Zanellato/Bortotto for Moroso, an ordinary copper object coated with vitreous powders takes on an unexpected splendor and startling colors when fired at high temperatures, leaving the metal intact.

The handcrafted round top is made from a copper alloy sheet, onto which multiple layers of glass powders and metallic oxides are meticulously deposited and subjected to at least four firings to achieve the final result. The enameled copper processing is an art based on the use of fire, requiring expertise that dates back to ancient times. The enamel is made from a mixture of glass powders and metal oxides, these materials are hand-sifted onto the copper before it is fired in a kiln for a few minutes at a temperature of 850°C for the transformation process to occur, creating the distinctive vitreous texture. The chemical reactions of the enamel differ for each color, requiring a high level of control over the oxides’ response to firing. The colors are applied in sequence, with multiple firing cycles tailored to the specific properties of the enamels and their layering potential.

In the two round tables, the broad enameled surface is traversed by a variety of unpredictable shades resulting from the combining and overlapping of vitreous powders and strict observance of the necessary kiln time. The result is a series of unique pieces, imperfect and therefore seductively exciting and attractive.