Venice Street Photography

Oarmake (remer) Savario Pastor chatting in his workshop during a break.

Saverio Pastor – Venetian oar maker

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by

René Seindal
in ,

Saverio Pastor is the grand old man of Venetian oar making.

He makes oars and oarlocks for gondolas and other traditional Venetian boats for over 25 years.

Not that here are many oar makers left by now. As far as I know, there are only three professionally active in Venice.

The forcole of Saverio are works of art. Many are sold and sent abroad, where they’re on display as sculpture in wood.

His workshop in Dorsoduro is a tourist attraction by now, with groups large and small booked for his workshop months in advance.

I went there to photograph in late November on a commission from the  CNA (an association of artisans and small companies) for a project to promote Venetian artisans.

Oar maker (remer) Saverio Pastor contemplates a block of wood for a forcola. This is the hardest part of making a Venetian oarlock.
Oar maker (remer) Saverio Pastor contemplates a block of wood for a forcola. This is the hardest part of making a Venetian oarlock.
Oar maker (remer) Savario Pastor chatting in his workshop during a break.
Oar maker (remer) Savario Pastor chatting in his workshop during a break.
Oarmake (remer) Savario Pastor chatting in his workshop during a break.
Oarmake (remer) Savario Pastor chatting in his workshop during a break.
Oar maker Saverio Pastor working on an oar in his workshop
Oar maker Saverio Pastor working on an oar in his workshop
Oar maker Saverio Pastor working on an oar in his workshop
Oar maker Saverio Pastor working on an oar in his workshop
Oar maker (remer) Saverio Pastor is pulling a cart with raw wood towards his workshop.
Oar maker (remer) Saverio Pastor is pulling a cart with raw wood towards his workshop.
Racing oarlock in Saverio Pastor's workshop
Racing oarlock in Saverio Pastor’s workshop
Racing oarlock in Saverio Pastor's workshop
Racing oarlock in Saverio Pastor’s workshop
A crate of forcole (oarlocks) in Saverio Pastor's workshop
A crate of forcole (oarlocks) in Saverio Pastor’s workshop
A crate of forcole (oarlocks) in Saverio Pastor's workshop
A crate of forcole (oarlocks) in Saverio Pastor’s workshop
Oarmaker Saverio Pastor chatting with a guest in his workshop, while leaning on a forcola
Oarmaker Saverio Pastor chatting with a guest in his workshop, while leaning on a forcola
Oarmaker Saverio Pastor chatting with a guest in his workshop, while leaning on a forcola
Oarmaker Saverio Pastor chatting with a guest in his workshop, while leaning on a forcola

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