The foundry started in 1963 as the “Fonderia Artistica F.lli Da Prato”, when the brothers Carlo (a wax-caster) and Franco Da Prato (a finisher/patinator) got together.
Although initially most of their work was done using “moulding box casting”, which is suitable for most religious works of art, as more and more artists (A. Penalba, G. Pomodoro, J. Roca-Rey, H. Fiore, U. Becchini, F. Vezzoni, Polles, C. Lavatelli, Lembuk, J. Basler, S. Pierotti,  G. Stilling,  K. Yasuda, I. Mitoraj, G. Vangi., F. Botero, Jimenez Deredia  and many others) came to work in Pietrasanta, the use of the "lost wax" process for sculpture production took over.
Today, Massimo (Franco’s son), an architect, runs the Fonderia Da Prato along with his son, Davide, and some trusted craftsmen.  This team carries on the foundry’s tradition of quality, upholding the highest standards of craftsmanship.
Recently completed works include:
• the large Crucifix by Giuliano Vangi now in Padua Cathedral.
• the 6.50 m high “Vela per Cristoforo Colombo” by Giò Pomodoro which faces the sea in the town of Sestri Levante.
• the large statue of Christ (6 m high) created by Stefano Pierotti for the town of Torvergata (Rome) to commemorate a youth gathering during the Pope’s visit for the year 2000 Jubilee. 
• the large Tebernacle (9.00 m high) at the Santuario della Madonna del Tindari
• an exact reproduction of the equestrian statue of Marcus Aurelius at the Campidoglio in Rome.
Type of work done:  Lost wax casting of works of art in bronze and other metal alloys;
Original line of work: Contemporary, classical, funerary and sacred sculpture.
Present line of work: Contemporary, classical, funerary and sacred sculpture plus gifts and fancy goods.