Antiques Show in Viterbo's Papal Palace

outside the Papal Palace 

The  most  historic  part of Viterbo  will be a  lively place  for the next  10 days thanks to the revived antiques show  being held inside the halls of the 12^th century Papal Palace, where  in 1271 the first conclave (cum clave, with the keys) forced the  cardinals gathered  there to elect a new pope after having stalled for 18 months.

I have been reporting on the Viterbo Antiques Fair  since its inception  35 years ago, so yesterday’s inauguration  was  very much a déjà vu experience . 

article from 1981

reporting on Viterbo show, 1983

an elegant table 

Giulio Curti (BIC Lazio) and wife, Felice Orlandini (Polizia di Stato) & Fulvio

When I covered the first Viterbo Antiques show in 1980, we waited on the steps while dealers  finished  setting up their stands and the red carpet was being unrolled. 

last minute preparations

There was some scurrying also yesterday  before the Mayor  arrived  to cut the  ribbon.

 Mayor Michelini cuts the ribbon,with Giorgia  of Archeoares 

The number of exhibitors (43) is about the same as the first editions of the fair and there has been a generational change with many new  names and younger faces.  

Keeping up with modern times the organizers served finger food and drinks and local reporters  concentrated  on snapping pictures of  politicians, the bishop and local VIPs rather than the works of art.

Villa San Michele organized the drinks reception

The show fills three levels of the Papal Palace and is open to the public on weekday afternoons (from 3 p.m.) and all day on Friday, Saturday and Sundays. 

Thus dealers from out of town (the majority) have a chance to  enjoy the local amenities which include  hot thermal pools, Etruscan sites, Renaissance palaces and gardens.

The entrance ticket is also valid for  the Museo Civico  of Viterbo where you can see  masterpieces by Sebastiano del Piombo  and an exhibit on the  Knights Templars.  

1920s-30s ceramics of Raffaello Pernici

Special half-price  tickets (5 instead of 10 euro) are available to my readers  on Friday morning, March  27^th  at 11 am. 
Meeting place, Papal Palace, Viterbo.

portrait of a 17th century violinist of Cremona

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Art Dèco  clock 

For  more on buying antiques,  styles and stories  check the Antiques section of www.elegantetruria.com  
Rated Number 1  by Google for Antiques in Italy 

Art and Artisans in Viterbo and Vignanello

Photo by F. Pignatale 

This weekend   everyone in the province of Viterbo  is celebrating  the  entrance of the Macchina di Santa Rosa   in to the   UNESCO heritage   list, which I wrote about  last week. 

 It is  a sunny weekend with   the olive harvest finished and people are looking ahead to the holidays: thus  there are Christmas fairs and  fairs celebrating  the local olive oil in just about  every town. 

This morning  we drove over  to Vignanello  to check out the  art and artisans fair being hosted by Donna Giada Ruspoli in the family castle.  

 I have a video clip of our visit,  you can see it on youtube   Ruspoli Castle, Vignanello.  Also  on Facebook...but for some unknown reason, today  it won't load  on  the blog page. 

Mary Jane Cryan

about an hour ago via YouTube

• A visit to Ruspoli Castle to see the hidden corners, the pre-Christmas fair

  

  Ruspoli castle Vignanello

  Caricato da Mary Jane

  Christmas fair Dec.7 & 8

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www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y-XhjxDsyrk http://youtu.be/Y-XhjxDsyrk

  
Also  happening in Viterbo during this weekend:  the Chamber of Commerce  fair  in  the historic center .  

Hunting for Antiques in Viterbo

Antiques  are for Poor People – Part Two, Itinerary in Viterbo

Only 14 kms further along the Via Cassia from Vetralla (see Part One)  brings the antiques hunter  to Viterbo.  Along the road there are a couple of  rigattiere / junk yards  brimming  with iron, metal and stone salvage objects.  

old radio 

one of the fireplaces purchased from Ginevra Poleggi

The best salvage place, the source for interior decorators and  architects, is that of  Ginevra Poleggi,  located off the Via Cassia at Ponte dei Cetti. (for information simona.spazzolini@gmail.com )   Ginevra's place was where I found the antique tiles,  fireplaces and stone sinks for my restoration project.  

Arriving to Viterbo's Porta Romana take a left and park  in the lot located beside the medieval walls or continue further  along to the free lot next to  Porta San Pietro. You may want to give  a tip to the self appointed guardian. 

antique bedstead becomes plant holder  

Porta San Pietro is where you  want to enter for just inside, on the way towards  San Pellegrino, Europe’s best preserved medieval quarter, is the tiny restoration laboratory  Restauro San Pietro.   

cassapanca awaiting restoraton 

 Daniela and Michele  moved to Viterbo to get away from the chaos of big city Rome and settled in this street resembling the  antiques area around Campo dei Fiori-fifty years ago. 

mirror reflections 

Michele worked for the  Cultural Ministry and  participated in the restoration of the huge doors of Castle Sant’Angelo in Rome.

 Daniela  sources  1950s American  jewelry and knick-knacks which she sells at  fairs throughout central Italy.

tools of the trade 

father and son 

They have carved out a homey corner complete with back garden filled with quirky old garden furniture and plants. 

Prices  are flexible, depending on whether the objects have been restored or not.

Baby Santiago  has a  mini workbench   alongside that of his dad and the shop doubles  as information point for tourists in the summer. 
For information and prices contact sanpietrorestauro@gmail.com 

a magnificent pair of bronze  battocchi 

Marilyn looks down on a davenport desk and night stand 

Leaving their shop, continue into the heart of San Pellegrino quarter where you will find the Museum of Saint Rosa’s Porters. Here the traditions of Viterbo come alive with films and models of previous Macchine. 

 The bookshop carries souvenirs and books, including those I have written about the area, published with Archeoares, who also manage the Museums and  the Papal Palace where the first Papal Conclave was held in the 13th century.

models of previous Macchine 

bookshop in the  Santa Rosa Porters Museum 

Maestro Paternesi at Palazzo degli Alessandri 

  The most theatrical piazza  of  Viterbo's San Pellegrino quarter is located here…and if you are lucky  there will be an exhibit  in Palazzo degli Alessandri.  
Interested in Italian antiques? You will find lots of information on my website's  Antiques pages.
Have you been to San Pellegrino quarter in Viterbo?  If you would like more information or other itineraries, leave a comment below and share with friends (Facebook, Twitter icons).  What other antiques dealers can you recommend in the area ? 
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