The knowledge of how to work metal gradually spread west across Europe from the Balkans, reaching Italy in the late 4th millennium BC. Copper daggers and axes were first made in Italy in the north and central areas which were rich in copper. Such metal objects have been found in high status graves. Crucibles, tools and other evidence for metalworking dating to the 3rd millennium BC have been found at remote sites. This suggests that metal may have been worked at the place it was mined and smelted (extracted from its ore).

At this time metalworking was becoming established in Spain and France and gradually spread throughout Italy. Metal objects were quickly adopted by powerful people as status symbols. This created a demand for high quality knives, daggers and jewellery. In the early 2nd millennium BC metalworking technology became increasingly sophisticated. The Terramare culture in particular developed new bronze workings techniques. During the Middle Bronze Age trade with the Aegean developed and Mycenaean influence can be seen in the style and techniques of some Sicilian and southeast Italian metalwork.