Lumezzane, Lombardy, Italy · Est. 1947 (Prandelli family origins 1901) · Founded by Pietro, Felice & Giacomo Prandelli (third generation of the Prandelli family)
In 1901 three Prandelli brothers built a factory on the banks of the River Gobbia in the Lumezzane Valley, using the water's kinetic energy to power their machinery. The factory made bullets during WWI. After the war, Gianbattista's sons Pietro, Felice and Giacomo converted it entirely -- and in 1947 founded Mepra, short for Metallurgica Prandelli. Three generations of Italian family craftsmanship later, Mepra flatware sits on the tables of the most prestigious hotels and restaurants in the world, and has collaborated with Pininfarina -- the design house behind Ferrari -- on one of the most celebrated flatware collections ever made. On a registry, it's the flatware a couple will still be reaching for in forty years.
The Prandelli family story begins in 1901, when three brothers -- Bortolo, Francesco, and Giovanbattista -- built a factory on the banks of the River Gobbia in the Lumezzane Valley of northern Italy, harnessing the water's kinetic energy to power their machinery. During the First World War the factory pivoted entirely to producing bullets for the Italian Army. When the war ended, the machinery fell quiet, and Giovanbattista's three sons had to make a decision about what to build next.
In 1947 Pietro, Felice, and Giacomo created Mepra -- an acronym for Metallurgica Prandelli -- and turned the family's metalworking expertise toward the Italian table. By 1950 half of production was committed to stainless steel flatware. By 1953 the entire collection had converted. The Lumezzane Valley, already renowned as the center of Italian metalworking, was the perfect home for what followed: decade after decade of meticulous design, material innovation, and collaboration with some of Italy's greatest designers. Angelo Mangiarotti shaped the Vintage collection. Louise Jenkins drew from Victorian silversmithing for the Casablanca line. And in 2019, Mepra partnered with Pininfarina -- the legendary design house whose aesthetic shaped Ferrari, Alfa Romeo, and Maserati -- to create the STILE collection: pure lines, impeccable balance, available in 21 finishes, and widely considered one of the most beautiful flatware collections ever designed.
Today Mepra produces over 8,000 distinct items and introduces at least one new collection per year. Every piece is made in Italy from 18/10 stainless steel, dishwasher safe, and built to be passed down. On a registry, Mepra is the flatware category for the couple who wants to set the table beautifully every single night -- and who plans to hand it down someday.
