Plate

The coppersmith Nuno Palma works coated by the glow of copper and brass, sitting on his bench at Oficina dos Caldeireiros, part of the Loulé Criativo project, a network revived by the Loulé municipality to breathe new life into traditional trades dating back to the 13th century.

After honing his craft from masters like Analide Carmo, Nuno became an expert in how copper softens under high temperature, how it gains shape at the touch of the hammer, how it sings right before a final polish. His work encompasses everyday instruments and decorative pieces, from kitchenware or lamp shades to sculptural objects.

A rare case of a young person rescuing old techniques from disappearance, Nuno has a passion for sharing his craft and rituals.

That’s why he promotes his workshops “Trabalhar o Cobre” (“Working Copper”) where participants get to cut, hammer and finish a copper bowl to take home.