Trafilco — Company

1982

18 October

Foundation and specialization.

On October 18 the company is founded, immediately specializing in shaped and custom-drawing tubes for Italian high-end furniture.

1996

Expansion across Europe

Marks our opening to foreign markets: firmly established in Italy, the brand becomes known across Europe.

2002

Headquarters relocation

The headquarters are permanently moved to Cermenate.

2013

Second generation

The second generation progressively takes over, further developing the company.

2022

New facility

Acquisition of a new facility: doubled space and an expanded ready-to-ship warehouse.

2025

Plant modernization

New machinery improves quality and broadens our service offering.

Historical curiosities

Aurichalcum (Orichalcum) → brass through history

From legend to real metal: key milestones at a glance.

c. 7th century BC

Poetic mentions (literary value)

Cited in poetic texts: pseudo-Homeric Hymn to Aphrodite, the Shield (attributed to Hesiod), and a fragment by Ibycus.

4th century BC

Theopompus of Chios (via Strabo)

The “earth” that makes orichalcum

In the Troad a “certain earth” is added to copper, producing a metal called orichalcum.
That “earth” is likely calamine (zinc-bearing minerals).
It gives copper a gold-like color, source of its ancient value.
Etymology: ὀρεί-χαλκος = “mountain copper”.

200–190 BC

Plautus, Curculio

Still valued as “almost gold”

Orichalcum is still compared to gold in value.

2nd–1st century BC

From practice to shared knowledge

Knowledge of the fusion process (cementation with calamine/zinc ores) spreads.
Brass becomes reproducible: its real value is no longer equated to gold.

44 BC

Cicero, De Officiis

Gold ≠ Orichalcum

Distinguishing gold from orichalcum is now common knowledge (Pliny criticizes as amoral those who mistake orichalcum for gold).

23–19 BC

Augustan monetary reform

Introduction of sestertii and dupondii coined in orichalcum/brass.

77 AD

Pliny the Elder, Naturalis Historia

Double meaning

An “ancient orichalcum” (excellent copper which mines are exhausted ) distinct from the brass used for jewelry.

2nd century AD

Sextus Pompeius Festus, De verborum significatione

Aurichalcum / Orichalcum

Aurichalcum sometimes understood as copper + gold, or “gold-coloured”.
Orichalcum (brass): copper + cadmea (calamine) → technical definition.

Conclusion

From legend to history

The ancient orichalcum converges to brass once the process becomes known and repeatable.
The legend ends, the story begins...