Bowl with a rounded rim
availableCarved exterior, polished rim. For fruit, bread or as a piece in its own right on the table.
Ask about a similar pieceCore
From Karst stone we create objects that keep the character of the material and come alive in everyday use.
The Karst — a land of stone, drought and the bora wind — has hardened the people whom stone accompanies all their lives. Every object from our workshop is made of Karst limestone, by hand, from a traditional form and purpose. Not an ornament, but a thing to be used.
01
Products
Bowls, trays, mortars, vases and gifts in Karst stone — ready for collection or on request.
02
Made to order
Inscriptions, plaques, troughs, benches and one-off pieces — made for their purpose, their place and the chosen stone.
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Workshops and experiences
Try working Karst stone with the master — for groups, schools, companies and visitors to the Karst.
Selected products
Objects made to be used
Nut cracker for walnuts and hazelnuts
availableStone base and a mallet with an ash handle. Cracks walnuts without crushing the kernels.
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Glasses for Teran and spirits
seriesBlown crystal glass on a carved stone base. Designed with Andraž Debeljak.
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Vase in Karst limestone
one-offA polished surface in which the fossil shells of the ancient Karst sea remain visible.
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Leaf tray
availableA long tray for prosciutto, cheese or fruit. Each piece has a different stone texture.
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Spice pots
availableMiniatures of the Karst lard pots, with a wooden lid and spoon. For salt, pepper or butter.
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Bookends
availableA pair of carved bookends with a floral motif. Heavy enough for the shelf, handsome enough for the table.
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Bottle holder
to orderA stone stand for wine that stays on the table long after dinner.
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1996
Working with stone since 1996.
The master
Jernej Bortolato, master stonemason
I first became a stonemason out of joy; in 2006 the workshop in Pliskovica became my profession. What matters most to me is that a piece comes alive with its owner — the bowl on the table, the mortar in the kitchen, the inscription on the house. The stone must keep its character; the hand gives it purpose.
Certificate
ART&CRAFT, OZS · 1999
Title
Master stonemason · 2009
Collaborations
Oskar Kogoj, Andraž Debeljak, VSŠ Sežana
Made to order
From conversation to object in four steps
Name plaques, kitchen sinks, benches, corporate gifts or an object that does not exist yet. We make it for its purpose, its place and the chosen stone. Send a photo, a sketch or a description — a beginning is enough.
01
Conversation
The idea, the purpose, rough dimensions and the place where the piece will live.
You send a photo, a sketch or a few sentences.
02
Proposal
Choice of stone, form and finish — carved, honed or polished.
You receive guidance and an indicative quote.
03
Hand-making
Work in the Pliskovica workshop. During the making we send a photo of the progress.
An agreed deadline and any confirmations.
04
Handover
The finished piece in its place or in gift packaging.
Collection at the workshop, delivery or installation.
Workshops and experiences
Try your hand at working Karst stone
In the workshop in Pliskovica you pick up a chisel and a mallet. The master shows how the stone “listens”, and you carve your first object out of a piece of limestone — and take it home.
- Duration
- Experience 90 min · workshop by arrangement
- Languages
- Slovenian, Italian, English
- Location
- Pliskovica 18, Dutovlje
- Booking
- by prior arrangement
Awards
Awards of the Chamber of Craft and Small Business of Slovenia
Proof of work, not decoration. Every award was given for specific pieces or for a body of work in the artistic crafts.
- 2010Golden Vine for an important creative body of work in the artistic crafts in Slovenia
- 2009Bronze Key for many years of successful work in the crafts
- 20092nd place for the tourist souvenir of the Municipality of Sežana
- 2009Master craftsman examination — title of master stonemason
- 2007Award for the Souvenir of Slovenia and the Bronze Guild for quality
- 1999ART&CRAFT certificate of the expert committee for home and artistic crafts at the OZS
Latest stories
From the workshop
Reference · garden
Time for chess
A garden table with a chessboard in two Karst limestones — a rough split edge, a honed playing surface.
Reference · inscriptions
Name plaque for a homestead
The name of the homestead in calligraphic lettering, carved in relief; the split frame keeps the rawness of the stone.
In the media · 2019
Der, der den Stein hören kann
Kleine Zeitung on the stonemason from Pliskovica who can “hear” the stone — a report from the workshop.
Have an idea in stone? Let’s talk.
Describe your idea or send a sketch. We reply within two working days, usually sooner.