Recently, I had the pleasure of visiting Filippo Romagnoli, a talented wood-carver from Florence and I did a video of his amazing work that you can watch here. Filippo belongs to what is likely the last generation of traditional wood-carvers in the city—a craft that once thrived but is now on the brink of extinction.
Wood carving in Florence was once a flourishing trade, with young apprentices starting as early as ten years old. Filippo recounts how his own grandfather learned the craft this way, under the guidance of skilled masters. The youngest boys, with their sharp eyesight and nimble fingers, would handle the finest, most intricate details, while the older, more experienced carvers worked on the larger and heavier pieces of wood.
Now in his late fifties, Filippo is deeply aware of the uncertain future of his trade. His own children are pursuing university degrees, and he doubts they will carry on the family business. As demand for hand-carved woodwork declines, he has had to find new ways to sustain himself—both for his own livelihood and to support his children’s education.
Filippo’s unexpected saving grace came in the form of an old Ligurian pasta tradition. He has become renowned for crafting corzetti pasta stamps—circular wooden tools used to imprint intricate designs onto sheets of pasta. Corzetti, originating from the Levante region of Liguria, were once a mark of family heritage, with each household possessing a unique design.
Filippo’s connection to this tradition dates back to his grandfather’s time. While working as a carver in a noble Ligurian villa, Filippo’s grandfather was asked if he could also create corzetti stamps. He took on the challenge and crafted them in his Florentine workshop.
Generations later, as Filippo faced dwindling demand for his craft, he spent sleepless nights wondering how to adapt. Then, in a moment of inspiration, he remembered the corzetti stamps. Reviving his grandfather’s work, he began hand-carving these pasta tools and selling them online through Etsy. His stamps, both traditional and custom-designed, are now shipped to pasta lovers and chefs across the globe.
Filippo acknowledges that machine production has overtaken the wood-carving industry, making it nearly impossible for artisans like himself to compete. However, he remains committed to preserving the authenticity and artistry of his trade. “It’s not the same,” he says. “The local art form is disappearing.”
Through his dedication, Filippo has found a way to keep a piece of his heritage alive—one intricately carved pasta stamp at a time.