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Florence, once the former capital of Italy, has been host to many significant artists over the centuries such as Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo and Raffaello.
Leonardo da Vinci is perhaps the most well known of these Florentine artisans, his paintings and other works having enjoyed widespread exposure for many centuries.
Wherever you turn, Florence has been the centre and catalyst for significant artistic endeavour, including the ancient process of artificially ageing the canvas and wooden frames used for these paintings.
People in Italy have enjoyed this tradition of ageing paintings and works of art, borne of this prolific region, for centuries. In more recent times, it has been sought by foreigners who have become aware of this ancient craftsman process and the value it creates.
Welcome to our website.
Aged Artwork is proud to announce its establishment in Australia to provide access to this time honoured, artisan process of ageing paintings and other works of art.
Our services are now available directly to the local Australasian and international markets.
Please enjoy your journey through this showcase as you learn of the history, applications and variety of products for which ageing is applicable.
We certainly look forward to being of service to you.
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At Aged Artwork, our principal artisan is Mr. Tony Mendico.
Mr. Mendico was born in Australia to Italian migrant parents and spent a significant part of his working career as a textiles technologist, helping to develop his intimate understanding of the textures and composition of fabrics.
Following one of many trips to his homeland, Mr. Mendico was introduced to an Italian master craftsman by one of his relatives. It was with this artisan that Mr. Mendico was to become apprentice to the ancient and well-guarded secret process of ageing paintings and works of art.
Two years of teaching and practice with the master allowed Mr. Mendico to develop and then begin the process of mastering his new skills, trying out the process on a diverse range of media and objects.
Mr. Mendico now works on original and reproduction paintings and works of art, classical antique furniture, wooden plaques and plaster products including statuettes, plaques, cornices and ceiling roses.
He analyses each piece to maximise the effects of the ageing, in sympathy to the background and application of the product. As such, each piece is unique, created with an individual identity.
Mr. Mendico offers expertise in the Florentine tradition of recreating elite pieces of work. This tradition has allowed him to apply this art on to reproduction antique furniture, internal home doors and on individual artwork.
At the Designex Show, held in Melbourne during April 2005, an aged furniture piece exhibited by Mr. Mendico was nominated and recognized for the “Most Innovative Furniture Product 2005”.
In his spare time, Mr. Mendico continues to practice his skills, continually developing improved methods and expanding the range of materials with which he can work.
Mr. Mendico has received two Australian Government Export Grants to assist with the development of markets overseas. To date, aged products have been exported to Dubai, Singapore, India and more recently, America.
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