The goldsmith profession in the Massoni family goes back to 1790, and was handed on from father to son for 210 years.
Pietro Massoni opened the family tradition working as a silversmith in the Vatican, with his own punch. Giuseppe, Pietro's son, followed his father's tracks, registering in the goldsmith's professional roll, working silver and producing jewels in his own recognizable style. In 1865 Giuseppe was conferred the honour of "Maestro di arte orafa del Nobil Collegio dei gioiellieri" (Master in Goldsmithery, of the Noble Guild of Jewellers). Records are kept also of his registering for the Chamber of Commerce in 1848, when traders and artisans weren't more than 400.
In 1880 the activity passed on to Giuseppe's son, Torquato, who opened a shop in Via dei Serpenti, moving into new premises, in Corso Umberto 270, a couple of years later, with a new working partner, Mr. Teoli.
In 1917, when Torquato Massoni died, his sons Giuseppe and Piero took over the management of the firm; in 1932 they settled where the shop is at present, in Largo Goldoni 48.
The shop's furnishings are to be considered among the best possible of those days: tables and armchairs specially made by the famous Bolognese firm Bega; French candelabra made of silver-plated bronze and Bohemian glass; carpets supplied by De Capitani. The very distinguished clientele included the Savoia family, who appointed the shop as a supplier to the Royal Family.
In 1956, with Giuseppe Massoni's death, his son Giorgio took over the activity; since 1980 even Giuseppe, Carlo and Virginia Massoni have joined in supporting the family firm, by now become an s.a.s. (limited partnership). The shop's furniture, as well as the precious marbles that cover the external walls, hasn't changed since 1932.