Gardeco Objects is celebrating its 15-year anniversary of 'The Visitor' with a golden edge

Gardeco Objects is celebrating the 15th anniversary of 'The Visitor' this year by gilding the iconic figurine for the occasion. For the Belgian publisher of art and design objects, the anniversary edition is not only a tribute to sculptor Guido Deleu's design, but also, in line with the company's mission, a heartfelt endorsement of local and honest craftsmanship anywhere in the world. By choosing the nearly extinct craft of gold beating from Venice, the golden Visitor is a special edition with a golden edge.

From Belgium to Brazil

Fifteen years ago, 'The Visitor' was invented by Belgian sculptor Guido Deleu, but the design really came to life thanks to collaboration with Gardeco Objects and Selma Calheira's Cores da Terra studio in Brazil. At Calheira's studio, former cocoa workers are retrained as professional ceramists so they can find their place in the labour market again. It fits perfectly with Gardeco's commitment to supporting craftsmanship within local communities anywhere in the world.

Craftmanship from Venice

To celebrate the anniversary of 'The Visitor' in a festive way, it was Gardeco Objects’ wish to completely gild the figurine. To do so, the company headed to Venice that served as an extra stop in the design's international production process. The goal? To revive the nearly extinct craft of gold beating. The choice of the Italian city of water is not accidental, as it is precisely there that this rare craftsmanship is still carried out with the utmost care and knowledge in every step of the process. From the meticulous process of transforming gold into delicate leaves in the Mario Berta Battiloro studio to the expert application of the gold on the figurine by the hands of Elisabetta Mason. Since Mason also takes care of the gold details on gondolas in Venice, she has become an unquestionable reference.

With no successors to continue the labour-intensive craft of gold beating, the Mario Berta Battiloro studio is sadly closing its doors soon. The golden Visitor pays a final tribute to this unique craftsmanship.

In 24-carat gold and white gold

Available in 24-carat gold and white gold (100 pieces), the new limited edition of 'The Visitor' crowns itself as an exclusive collector's item. White gold - unlike yellow gold - is man-made. It is created by an alloying process and is a combination of pure gold and white metals such as silver or rhodium. Moreover, rhodium is considered the rarest and most valuable precious metal in the world.

Do you want to follow the journey of ‘The Visitor’ and see the craftsmanship in the studios in Venice with your own eyes? Then take a look at this video and find out more: http://www.gardeco.eu/goldentribute

For the love of people

To strengthen the story of giving back, Gardeco Objects is donating part of the proceeds from 'The Visitor' to various social projects in Bahia, Brazil. All these projects aim to improve living conditions in the favelas and support the local community.

SAVVY x Gardeco Objects: press relations.
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