BEST PORTUGAL BRANDS
Article by Isabel Maria
Topaz is the silver that tells the history of Portugal
Enter the factory of Topaz It's like crossing a portal to the heart of the Portuguese goldsmith. O I am to martelo no metal, The brightness of the silver worked by hand, And the almost silent accuracy of the artisans transport us for a time where luxury means in detail, Time and talent.
Gondomar, Porto - Since 1874
Topaz is one of the oldest and most emblematic brands of Portuguese goldsmith. Founded in 1874 By Manuel José Ferreira Marques, in gondomar, was born in the thorough work of gold but became worldwide recognized for the excellence in the art of silver. Today, with 150 years of history, It is much more than a mark of decorative or utility objects - it is a true symbol of knowing Portuguese.
Upon entering the Topaz Factory, It is clear that the essence of the brand lies in the hands that shape each piece. Are dozens of artisans who keep a manual inheritance past generation from generation to generation. The rhythmic metallic sound, The glow of silver to take shape and the concentrated silence of repeated gestures accurately convey the idea of a slower time, where luxury is measured by dedication and attention to detail. Techniques like chizal, the embedded, polishing or artisanal foundry are preserved with rigor, but also with opening to innovation and contemporary design.
The factory is not just a production space. It is a center of memory and experimentation. Care with knowledge transmission is visible in the relationship between masters and apprentices, and the work environment balances tradition with a clear bet on human valorization and sustainability. Topaz Integration on the Filigran Route, tourist-cultural project that unites tradition and creativity, It is a reflection of its opening to the community and the desire to show the world the value of handmade goldsmiths.
It is in this context that to mark its 150th anniversary in 2024, Topaz has invited a total of 15 Artists and designers - between national and international - to conceive a collection of unique pieces in limited edition, around a silver -bath jar. The exposure, curated by the designer Tony Grillo, Includes names like Joanavasconcelos, Sambaron, Emmanuel Babled, Christian Haas, Gutequena, Manuelaresmateus, Joãojesus, Noéduchaafour‑lawrance, MARCOSSOUSASANTES - Each brought their singular view, from sculptural proposals to poetic or functional interpretations of silver.
Jug, Toni Grilo - 2024
These collaborations 15 luxury jars, available in limited number, which includes Toni Grilo's own play, are on display in Gondomar, In the white house of the grade, Until January 2025, preceded by a ticket to Lisbon, No MUDE - Design and Fashion Museum, where the collection was launched, contributing to a narrative that crosses heritage with innovation. The pieces evoke past and future, tradition and innovation and demonstrate how silver continues a living matter. Celebrate the connection between history, Art and contemporaneity, symbolizing with creativity each of the decades that make up the 150 brand years.
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“The real luxury is in the story that feels when touching a piece of Topaz.” – Portugal Faz Bem
Topaz Factory can be visited with previous marking, being a mandatory stop for those who want to truly understand what Portuguese design is linked to silver production. During visiting, participants can follow all phases of the manufacture process, Visit the brand's historical file with centenary molds and pieces, and watch the work of the masters artisans live. The experience is enriching for both professionals - architects, designers, curators or brands - such as curious visitors and tourists looking for authentic experiences.
With a strong commitment to sustainability, Topaz has been implementing practices that respect the environment and natural resources. The use of renewable energy, The recycling of materials and the concern with the longevity of the produced pieces reflect their view of a conscious luxury, lasting and responsible.
Topázio also has a prominent role in creating pieces for striking moments of life, such as weddings, baptized, Birthdays or family celebrations. Over the decades, the brand has become synonymous with elegance and symbolism on these occasions, offering from cutlery and customized jars to decorative objects, memories and jewelry that become family inheritance. The possibility of personalization of the pieces - with recordings, dates or coats of arms - adds a lasting emotional value. More than gifts, Topaz creations are memory gestures and affection, thought to cross generations with the unique brightness of Portuguese silver.
The visit to Topaz is more than a route through a factory: It is a trip inside a rare craft, Where each piece carries time, The gesture and soul of those who do it.
Visit the Topaz Factory
Discovering Topaz is a trip to the heart of Portuguese silver. During visiting, Participants can:
- Observe live techniques like the chisel, manual polishing or built -in;
- Know the different phases of production, From design to finish;
- Visit the brand's historical file, where they rest unique pieces and centenary molds;
- Watch the demonstrations of the masters artisans who keep alive knowing how to make Portuguese goldsurow.
Topaz is a mandatory visit for designers, architects, brands, tourists and professionals looking for excellence, History and Inspiration. Let's visit together?