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Cataplana em Cobre artesanal de Da Palma, caldeiraria tradicional de Algarve, Portugal
Da Palma

Copper Cataplana

183,30 €

Available

Ra-Ro IndexVery RareWhat is the Ra-Ro Index?

Humans did not invent the sea. Nor shrimp, nor garlic. Nor copper. But someone invented the Cataplana, a typical Portuguese kitchen utensil that brought all these ingredients together.

Read the story of the piece
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  • Free returns within 14 days
  • Secure, encrypted payment
Handmade byDa Palma
Dimensions

Small
Diameter > 23 cm
Height
> 11 cm
Thickness > 1 mm

Medium
Diameter > 28 cm
Height
> 14 cm
Thickness > 1 mm

Large
Diameter > 33 cm
Height
> 17 cm
Thickness > 1 mm

Care

Cleaning
Hand wash immediately after use with warm, soapy water.
Do not use a dishwasher or abrasive sponges.

Drying
Towel dry immediately and completely to prevent water marks and tarnish.

Shine
Copper tarnishes naturally. Restore shine periodically using a commercial copper polish or a paste of lemon juice and salt.

Shipping and returns
Shipping time: Approximately > 6 weeks

We ship worldwide. You have 14 days to return the piece free of charge. Payment is secure and encrypted.

Hammered copper from Loulé

Copper Cataplana

Cut, softened in fire and hammered by hand by Nuno Palma.

Ra-Ro IndexVery Rare
What is the Ra-Ro Index?
The story

Nobody invented the sea, shrimp or copper. But someone invented *the cataplana*. Made in copper, it takes far longer than aluminium or steel versions and is *at risk of disappearing*. Nuno Palma is *one of the last* to make it the old way.

Story of the piece

Copper Cataplana

 

What other gorgeous piece of design also cooks the most delicious mediterranean stews?

Humans didn't invent the sea. Nor the shrimp, nor the garlic. Nor the copper. But someone invented the Cataplana, a typically Portuguese cooking utensil that united all of them.

We speak in the perfect past tense, and we want to tell you why. The copper Cataplana is very hard to find today, facing serious possibilities of extinction. Why? Because it takes much longer to make than its aluminum or stainless steel alternatives, despite allowing for excellent heat conduction and having the look of a stunning design piece.

Nuno Palma is a copper artist from Feiteira, a small village in the parish of Cachopo (Algarve, Portugal), and one of the last people to make cataplanas the old way - a rare case of a young man rescuing traditional artisanal techniques from disappearing.

He cuts the bright pink-orange metal sheets himself and then softens the material over fire. The hammer molds and hardens the sheet, which begins to look like the beautiful Cataplana it is destined to be. Palma rubs it with sand to remove impurities, perfects it multiple rounds of hammering, and gives it the final polish.

Then, it is up to us to cook traditional Mediterranean food over low heat, for long hours, condensing flavours, aromas, and love.

In numbers

The piece in facts.

CenturyXIII

The traditional trades Loulé is reviving date back to the 13th century.

Steps6steps

Cut, soften in fire, hammer, scrub with sand, hammer again and polish.

Sizes3sizes

Small, medium and large.

Hammered by hand. Made for a slow flame.

See the piece

See every detail.

The cataplana
The copper
The inside
The finish
Overview

The cataplana

Two copper halves that close like a shell.

  1. 1
    The lidHammered by hand, like the base.
  2. 2
    The hingeJoins the two halves.
  3. 3
    The handlesFrom the stove to the table.
From above

The copper

The rosy orange metal takes shape with every blow.

  1. 1
    Hammer marksEvery blow stays visible on the surface.
  2. 2
    The claspsKeep the cataplana closed while cooking.
  3. 3
    The handleIn copper, like the whole piece.
Open

The inside

Open, the cataplana shows its two halves.

  1. 1
    The lidCloses over the base and holds the steam.
  2. 2
    The baseWhere the stew is cooked.
Close up

The finish

Scrubbed with sand and polished at the end.

  1. 1
    PolishThe last step, after the hammering.
  2. 2
    Heat conductionCopper spreads heat evenly.
About the piece

Dimensions and care.

Dimensions

Small
Diameter > 23 cm
Height
> 11 cm
Thickness > 1 mm

Medium
Diameter > 28 cm
Height
> 14 cm
Thickness > 1 mm

Large
Diameter > 33 cm
Height
> 17 cm
Thickness > 1 mm

Care

Cleaning
Hand wash immediately after use with warm, soapy water.
Do not use a dishwasher or abrasive sponges.

Drying
Towel dry immediately and completely to prevent water marks and tarnish.

Shine
Copper tarnishes naturally. Restore shine periodically using a commercial copper polish or a paste of lemon juice and salt.

Shipping time

Approximately > 6 weeks

ABOUT COPPER
The technique

ABOUT COPPER

However, its concave shape, combined with copper's excellent thermal conductivity, ensures that heat is distributed more evenly throughout the interior, thus promoting more uniform cooking of food.
DISCOVER OUR OTHER PRODUCTS
Da Palma
Meet the Producer

IN SEARCH OF AN ANCIENT LEGEND

Coppersmith Nuno Palma works surrounded by the gleam of copper and brass, breathing new life into traditional crafts that date back to the 13th century.

discover the story
Da Palma
The journey

Da Palma

Workshop and Historical Context

The coppersmith Nuno Palma works bathed in the glow of copper and brass, seated at his bench in the 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.

Craftsmanship and Techniques

After honing his craft under masters such as Analide Carmo, Nuno became an expert in how copper softens under high temperatures, how it takes 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 and lampshades to sculptural objects.

Preservation and Passion

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

Workshops and Public Engagement

That’s why he promotes his “Trabalhar o Cobre” (“Working Copper”) workshops, where participants get to cut, hammer and finish a copper bowl to take home.
TIMELESS
Nuno Palma is a rare case of a young man rescuing traditional craft techniques from extinction. His work celebrates time, beauty and simplicity, creating pieces that range from everyday utensils to decorative objects. Through his workshops, he shares the rituals of the craft, ensuring that this knowledge is not lost. Each piece is made with care and dedication, reflecting a cultural heritage that dates back to the 13th century. The copper cataplana is an example of this art, combining function and design and allowing you to cook with love and tradition. It is more than a utensil; it is a bridge between past and present, embodying the resilience of a craft that refuses to die.
Questions

Everything you need to know.

What is this piece?

Copper cataplana hand-hammered by Nuno Palma in Cachopo, Algarve. Traditional coppersmithing, excellent heat conduction. Extremely rare piece.

Which region is it from?

It comes from Algarve, in Portugal. At Ra-Ro, every piece is tied to its origin and to the territory where it is made.

Who makes this piece?

It is made by Da Palma, the producer Ra-Ro works with directly for this piece.

What technique is used?

This piece is made using the Caldeiraria technique.

Are all pieces identical?

As a handmade piece, it may vary slightly from one example to another. That variation is part of its authenticity.

Do you ship worldwide?

Yes, Ra-Ro ships worldwide.

How do returns work?

You have 14 days for a free return.

Is payment secure?

Yes, all payments are processed securely and encrypted.

Bring to your kitchen a piece that stands the test of time.

183,30 € · available to ship

Buy now
Worldwide shipping14 days for free returnsSecure payment
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Copper Cataplana

RegionsFrom Minho to the Algarve, pieces with a true place of origin.
CategoriesPottery, cork, woodwork and many more crafts.
RaritiesThe hardest pieces to find.
Every piece, handmade in Portugal.View all products
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