Traditional English Silverware manufactured in Zimbabwe sits just as comfortably in a country house setting as it does for sundowners sparkling on the terrace under Africa's setting sun. We have developed the range keeping the best of the old and bringing in some refreshingly contemporary designs. From the boardroom to the most luxurious African Safari lodge, to the family dining table, even the smallest piece of silver adds a touch of glamour.
The products include tea sets, trays, ice buckets, water jugs, candelabras… Each piece is handmade in copper and brass by our skilled team of craftsmen in our factory in Harare. The electroplating team takes over and each piece is plated to a minimum thickness of 26 microns (certified by the Standards Association of Zimbabwe) which is why our plating carries a 20-year guarantee against manufacturing defects. Polishing, finishing and packing follow prior to despatch to our local and export markets.
The Royal African Collection began with the 'Big Five' - the unpredictable buffalo, the primitive rhinoceros, the intelligent elephant, the noble lion and the elusive leopard. The animals are exquisitely carved full body miniature art pieces decorating home and barware. When we bought the business in 2000 Copperwares was well known for its high quality traditional English Silverware. Seeing a gap in the travel market for the discerning tourist wanting a small, easily carried, a quality souvenir to remind them of their adventures in Africa the Royal African Silverware range was born.
The product range and the species of animals we use have grown significantly to include the warthog, chameleons, dung beetles etc as well as country-specific creatures for our ever-expanding export market. Some of the popular products in the range are our combinations of teak with silver animals on boards and picture frames or our animal decorated bowls, tot measures and bottle stoppers... The animals are cast in recycled bronze using the lost wax process, in our factory in Harare and plated with 26 microns of Zimbabwe mined silver. The cutlery handles are plated to 40 microns and the Stainless steel fronts are imported from Sheffield England
Inspiration is easy to find in Africa's magnificent wildlife and stunning scenery, captured in the Gastone range of original copper artwork. Gastone was acquired in 2005 and our team of skilled local artists have continued the tradition of freehand painting on pure copper. Almost every piece of Gastone artwork has a common signature, a 'burst of Sunrays' emanating from the centre of the copper background. This is achieved by our artisan's hand polishing each piece. Some of our pieces incorporate a hand moulded 3D animal.
We can easily adapt this range to be Country specific to show off its heritage, culture and wildlife. Products include copper murals, wall pictures, fire screens, wall clocks, maps and ornaments. Current country ranges include Zimbabwe, Zambia, Botswana, Mozambique and Angola. Within this range, we manufacture military presentation/officers medal and insignia boxes for the Zimbabwe Defence Force and the United States Marine Corps. We also have a selection of beautiful religious pieces.
The glow of burnished copper in Africa's setting sun inspired this range named 2930 from the elemental composition of the metals we use to construct our copper and brassware. 29 is the atomic number for copper and when copper is smelted with zinc (atomic number 30) the alloy brass is created. Copper mined in Africa, processed in Italy and returned to us is used in this range of basins, oil lamps, torches, electric light shades, trays, mirrors, water jugs, beer mugs…
Durable, decorative products equally at home in the African bush or lighting your home. The beauty is not only found in aesthetics but also in its manufacturing process . All of the 2930 range are handmade and spun by trained African coppersmiths giving them a unique touch otherwise unachievable with modern manufacturing.