Since the mid-20th century, Florentine silversmithing firm Fratelli Lisi has produced some of the finest silver crafts to come out of Europe. From elaborate floral designs — as exemplified by the company’s candleholders — to simple mushroom-shaped salt and pepper shakers, Fratelli Lisi brings elegance and imagination to all it produces.
Brothers Adriano, Lionello and Romano Lisi — sons of a baker — banded together just after World War II to establish their silversmithing workshop in Florence. At the onset, Fratelli Lisi (the first word being Italian for brothers) employed only 10 people. Building the business from the ground up, the partners and their colleagues made everything they needed, from workbenches to tools, honing their craft as they went along.
The brothers focused on techniques and forms that factory machines could not reproduce. They worked tirelessly and methodically, and soon they were creating artistic sculptures that could only be made by a deft hand and a keen eye. Fratelli Lisi artisans have long drawn inspiration from nature to craft ornamental objets d’art that often serve a utilitarian purpose. A silver turtle figurine, for instance, may also secretly be a box for hiding small items or storing a button collection.
Not unlike Brandimarte, another Florentine silversmithing firm founded in the mid-century years that remains family-owned, Fratelli Lisi remains a family enterprise based in Florence, and the original vision and silversmithing methods have been passed down from generation to generation. For custom commissions, Fratelli Lisi designers begin by collaborating with the client, to get a rough idea of a form to sketch before production. Working from the sketch, the smiths introduce their expertise and artistry — what they collectively call "a touch of magic" — to create the final product.
On 1stDibs, find an assortment of Fratelli Lisi silver and serveware.
$3,745 / item
Pumpkin Decorative Box
By Fratelli Lisi
Located in Milan, IT
This exquisite decorative object can be used to store small personal objects or small food items. It was crafted entirely in silver by skilled artisans in the shape of a pumpkin, whi...
Silver
$12,340 / item
Sophisticated 'Secret' Cabbage Case
By Fratelli Lisi
Located in Milan, IT
Sterling silver cabbage-box made entirely handcrafted by expert silversmiths, the Lisi Brothers, in Florence. Its dynamic and detailed quality make it i...
Silver
$13,005 / item
Sophisticated Pumpkin Case
By Fratelli Lisi
Located in Milan, IT
Sterling silver pumpkin-box handcrafted, chiseled and embossed by expert silversmiths, the Lisi Brothers, in Florence. Its dynamic and hyper-re...
Silver
$933
H 5.12 in W 5.71 in D 4.93 in
Antique Pewter Caviar BOX Decorative Box, HERRING JAR Glass Insert & Fish Handle
Located in Wembley, GB
Antique Pewter Caviar Box Herring Fish Lid Glass Insert Luxury Tableware An exceptional antique silver pewter caviar box, masterfully handcrafted and richly adorned with intricate A...
Gold Plate, Silver, Sterling Silver
20th Century Italian Sterling Silver Table Box
By Pampaloni
Located in VALENZA, IT
Rectangular/octagonal table box in 925 silver. The box was completely handmade in Florence at the end of the last century. Engraved with floral and abstract motifs, it has been fin...
Sterling Silver
$2,070Sale Price|20% Off
H 5.12 in W 6.7 in D 4.34 in
20th Century Italian Solid Silver Trunk-Shaped Box with Squirrel Knob
Located in VALENZA, IT
Solid silver 800 box the shape of a tree trunk. The feet are oak leaf and the knob depicts a squirrel on two oak leaves holding an acorn in his hands. The hinged box is gold-plated ...
Silver
$2,254Sale Price|20% Off
H 12.21 in Dm 3.15 in
20th Century Sterling Silver Box Tower Shape with Rooster at the Top
By Arval Argenti Valenza
Located in VALENZA, IT
Tower shaped box in solid sterling silver round shape. Made entirely by hand, with a chisel reproducing the bricks on the body and the windows are embossed and chiseled in the lantern. The tower is smooth, surmounted by a rooster. Ideal for offering cigars, or for holding scrolls or diplomas. By Poli...
Sterling Silver
Sterling Etrog Box
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Being offered is a sterling silver Etrog Box. An Etrog is the yellow citronor fruit used by Jews during the week-long holiday of Sukkot as on...
Sterling Silver
$16,737Sale Price|20% Off
H 1.58 in Dm 7.68 in
20th Century Sterling Silver Italian Gilded and Enameled Table Box
By Salimbeni
Located in VALENZA, IT
Round haped silver gilded 925/1000 table box with translucent enamels on guilloche with hand-painted floral miniatures and gold paillons Made in Italy 1.400 grams The Miniatures are hand-painted on a usually white homogeneous enamel base. The same colored glazes are used, but ground much finer, which are mixed with special oils to form an infinite palette of colors. The paint must be gradually dried on electric stoves...
Sterling Silver
$1,695
H 16.5 in W 12.5 in D 12 in
Antique English Regency Toleware Footed Coal Box or Scuttle with Brass Handles
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
This antique metal coal box or coal scuttle is presumably made in England during the 1820s in the Regency period and style. The box is constructed of th...
Metal
$2,500
H 2 in W 5.5 in D 4 in
Antique Sterling Silver Japanese Export Engraved Cigarette or Decorative Box
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
This antique engraved sterling silver cigarette or decorative box was made in Japan in approximately 1900 in the period Japonisme style. The box is composed of an ebonized hardwood c...
Sterling Silver
$672
H 3.94 in W 5.91 in D 3.94 in
Antique Pewter BOX Egyption Decorative Silver Jewllery Box Casket Home Decor
Located in Wembley, GB
Vintage Egyptian Revival Jewellery Box with Nefertiti Relief & Hieroglyphic Decoration Decorative Trinket Casket Egyptian Collectible Vanity Box Celebrate the timeless beauty of Ancient Egypt with this beautifully crafted Egyptian Revival jewellery box, richly decorated with iconic motifs inspired by one of history's greatest civilisations. The hinged triple-lid design features elegant relief portraits of Queen Nefertiti, a pharaoh's sarcophagus, and traditional Egyptian symbolism, each enhanced with striking ruby-red cabochon accents that create a luxurious contrast against the silver-toned finish. The sides are exquisitely embossed with scenes of Egyptian figures, hieroglyphs, pyramids, and decorative borders, while the interior is fully lined with soft black velvet. Thoughtfully divided into three compartments, including a central ring holder, this pewter box is ideal for storing rings, earrings, cufflinks, pendants, and treasured keepsakes. An elegant decorative object as well as a practical jewellery casket, this piece makes a wonderful addition to a dressing table, study, display cabinet, or luxury interior. Perfect for collectors of Egyptian Revival décor, lovers of archaeology, and admirers of historical decorative arts, it also makes a memorable gift for any special occasion. Dimensions Height: Approx. 10 cm Width: Approx. 15 cm Depth: Approx. 7 cm Condition Presented in excellent vintage condition with only light signs of age and use, consistent with careful ownership. The velvet-lined interior is clean and well preserved, and the hinges operate smoothly. Egyptian jewellery box...
Gold Plate, Silver, Metal, Sheet Metal
Middle Eastern Moorish Handcrafted Mosaic Decorative Box
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Exquisite handcrafted Middle Eastern mosaic marquetry inlaid walnut wood box. Small box intricately decorated with Moorish motif designs which h...
Fruitwood, Shell, Mother-of-Pearl
$2,958
H 0.4 in W 3.04 in D 3.39 in
Antique German Silver & Enamel Cigarette Case c 1900 Erotic Nude Sea Ocean
Located in London, GB
A gorgeous Antique solid Silver Cigarette Case with an Enamel Image on the front cover. This Image shows a nude woman with long brown hair surrounded by a cresting wave in the ocean....
Enamel
$798
H 1.58 in W 4.73 in D 2.09 in
Antique Silver BOX Decorative Box, Sterling Silver EDWARDIAN CUT Crystal Pot N&H
Located in Wembley, GB
This is a fine quality Edwardian cut crystal dressing table pot, mounted with a sterling silver lid. The oval crystal body rests on a star-cut base and is exquisitely decorated with ...
Crystal, Gold Plate, Sterling Silver, Silver
21st Century Italian solid silver box in the hape of a Sunflower
By Fratelli Lisi
Located in VALENZA, IT
Original solid silver box. Round in shape, it depicts a sunflower. The ray florets have been obtained from the silver plate, embossed and shaped completely by hand. The disk florets,...
Silver