The Regional Department for Cultural Heritage and Sicilian Identity commissioned us to produce 300 small archaeological amphorae using 3D printing, to be used as institutional giveaways at the 2020 Tourisma Fair. The aim was to offer visitors a gift that combined technological innovation with the promotion of Sicilian cultural heritage, turning an archaeological find into an everyday object.
We digitally recreated a wine transport amphora, designing a 3D model optimised for small-scale printing. Each miniature amphora, approximately 10 cm tall, was printed in PLA and then carefully hand-finished to reproduce the terracotta look of the original. A logo and a metal ring were added to transform the reproduction into a keyring. The result is a giveaway that not only recalls the archaeological object visually, but also conveys its material texture.
The main challenge lay in managing series production while maintaining high quality across all pieces. Three hundred amphorae are a significant volume for 3D printing and require careful time planning, the use of multiple printers in parallel and constant quality control during post-production. Each piece had to be identical to the others, while still retaining the handcrafted care of the surface finish.
This project shows how 3D printing can be used not only for museum replicas or tactile routes, but also as an innovative tool for cultural communication. Turning archaeological finds into accessible gadgets means making heritage part of people’s everyday lives, taking historical memory beyond the museum through objects that can be kept, gifted and used.
Ricardo Bonina
Livio Sgarlata