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Joseph Darmanin
Biography
J. Darmanin & Sons: Malta's Marble Masters
When Giuseppe Darmanin (later known as Joseph) set up his workshop in Valletta around 1800, he probably didn't realize he was starting what would become Malta's most famous marble business. The family specialized in stunning mosaic tabletops that caught the eye of wealthy British tourists passing through Malta on their Mediterranean travels. These weren't just any tables – each one featured incredibly detailed designs made from precisely cut colored stones, showing flowers, birds, or classical scenes.
The Darmanins really made their mark on the international scene through exhibitions in the mid-1800s. Their big break came at London's Great Exhibition of 1851 at the Crystal Palace, where they won a prize medal and had one of their tables selected for Buckingham Palace – not a bad customer to have! At the 1862 London Exhibition, they showed off seven different tables, including one with "a vase and four doves" that showed their signature style. The Victoria & Albert Museum in London still displays a table ordered directly from Darmanin in 1841, showing how well these pieces have stood the test of time.
What made Darmanin's work special was the family touch – this was truly a family business, eventually becoming J. Darmanin & Sons as Giuseppe's children joined the workshop. Visitors to their shop could watch the whole fascinating process, from selecting the perfect stones to the final polishing that made each table shine. They combined Italian pietra dura techniques with Malta's honey-coloured limestone and imported coloured marbles to create pieces that became popular diplomatic gifts and souvenirs for British officials stationed on the island. Today, collectors seek out authentic Darmanin pieces, which represent the best of Maltese craftsmanship from the Victorian era.
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