Valle d’Oro Patchi – Italian luxury ceramics from Nove

Imagine “Made in Italy” meeting the shine of 24-karat gold and craftsmanship unafraid of the wow effect. Valle d’Oro Patchi, literally “Golden Valley,” is a brand from Nove near Bassano del Grappa (Veneto) that, since 1971, has been doing exactly what its name suggests: covering ceramics with real gold and creating objects that look as if they came straight from an aristocrat’s collection.

Why does this “Golden Valley” still captivate?

Each piece is hand-shaped and decorated. Platinum, Swarovski crystals, and above all “foglia oro 24K”—literally gold leaf—are standard finishes. What can you find in the collection?

powerful ceramic lions and panthers, often life-sized
classic columns and candelabras
table lamps with opulence worthy of a mansion

The brand thrives online (Facebook is still publishing workshop videos in 2024), exports to the USA, Russia, and the Middle East, and maintains a style that you either love or find excessive. But it’s precisely this boldness that keeps Valle d’Oro Patchi from disappearing in the crowd of ceramic producers. Where did this brand come from, and why Nove? The story goes deeper than you might think.

Valle d’Oro Patchi: from the workshop in Bassano to the world

Actually, it all started quite modestly. In 1971, Dina Rigon and Elio Stevanin opened a small workshop in Nove, right next to Bassano del Grappa in the Veneto region. They weren’t planning a revolution; they simply wanted to make porcelain the way it had been made there since the 18th century.

Key dates and milestones

It’s worth seeing how it developed:

1971 – Start of operations in Nove (Dina Rigon and Elio Stevanin)
Circa 1979 – Introduction of the company’s “decalco” mark, fired in the third firing
The 1980s. – A turn towards export and the boho-chic style (remember those golden animals?)
19/02/1996 – Formal registration of Valle D’Oro – Patchi S.r.l. (ATECO 23.41, VAT 00634620249)
2018 – Participation in the Vebo Napoli fair, another step in the premium market

Nove/Bassano is the heart of Venetian ceramics

And here lies the crux. Nove is not a random location. Since the eighteenth century, this district has been synonymous with artistic craftsmanship, full of workshops where fathers taught their sons, who then passed the knowledge on. Valle d’Oro has become a natural part of this ecosystem, drawing from local tradition while giving it a fresh expression. This philosophy of “connecting past and present” is not just a marketing slogan. It’s a mindset that has consistently guided the company for five decades.

Craftsmanship and techniques

In Valle d’Oro, every piece goes through a true trial by fire, sometimes even three times. Hand shaping in the atelier in Nove is just the beginning.

Stages: from clay to shine

First comes shaping and glazing, then the first firing to set the form. The second firing hardens the glaze, giving it shine. But here is where something sets Valle d’Oro apart from ordinary porcelain: a third firing for the “decalco” technique. This is the moment when the brand mark is applied, fired permanently at a temperature that allows it to fuse into the glaze. It is not stuck on, it does not wash off.

Hand decoration completes the process. Artists apply “foglia oro 24K” ( genuine 24-carat gold leaf), add platinum, and set Swarovski crystals. In the “Bianco Opaco” collection, the gold is intentionally aged to create a noble patina effect. Baroque or “crackle” finishes (cracking glaze) require precise temperature control.

How to recognize class?

Check these things if you want to be sure of the quality:

Weight in the hand, the object must not feel suspiciously light
Uniform, smooth glaze without rough spots
Gold and platinum applied evenly, with no breaks in the line
Handcrafted details visible under a magnifying glass (slight irregularities are proof, not a flaw)
Signature on the bottom is burned in, not printed

Materials premium and a multi-stage process make each cup or plate a small investment of time and skill.

Design and collections: bestiary, columns, and light

The Valle d’Oro catalog is something like a private zoo, except all the animals are frozen in porcelain and gleam with gold. Here you’ll find literally everything: from the monumental “Leone Titanus” standing 112 cm tall, to the majestic doberman (88 cm), as well as panthers, horses, levriero, elephants, and fish. Alongside the bestiary stand columns reaching 172 cm in height, amphoras, fountains, chandeliers, clocks, mirrors, and even umbrella stands and tables (e.g., 65×105 cm). Motifs like “Cleopatra,” “Leone Alex,” or “Gondola” return in various formats, and sometimes even the “skulls” motif appears for the more daring.

How to choose a piece for your interior?

A few practical steps:

Size matters – a lion over a meter tall makes a striking centerpiece, an 88 cm Doberman will fill a corner perfectly, and smaller figurines (40 cm) can be grouped together.
Color dominant – 24K gold adds warmth, platinum cools and elevates elegance, Swarovski crystals sparkle in evening light.
Check the catalog code – e.g., “art. 441 BO h.41 cm” confirms the version and dimensions; it makes it easier to discuss with the distributor later.

Authenticity and where to buy

Valle d’Oro does not have its own boutiques. You can purchase originals through authorized online distributors (luxuryproducts.pl, myluxuryproducts.com) or contact them directly (Via dell’Olmo 37/A, 36055 Nove).

Trends that strengthen the brand

Trendy? Baroque is making a comeback, especially in versions that combine crystals, gold, and hand-crafted decoration. There is also growing appreciation for digital catalogs, which allow clients from Hong Kong or Dubai to explore collections without traveling to Venice.

Where gold meets craftsmanship – the essence of this story

History Valle d’Oro is more than just a story about beautiful plates. It is proof that true craftsmanship can survive the era of mass production when someone has enough determination and respect for tradition. The Patchi family has shown that luxury does not have to mean cold perfection, it can be combined with the warmth of handmade work and local identity.

Maybe that’s where the magic of things made with passion lies. It’s not just about gold or technique, but about people who believe it’s worth doing something well. Even if it’s slower and more expensive.