Reflections on My 39 Years in Umbria

Umbria has a proud tradition of handicrafts...none more prestigious than the fourth generation artisinal Brozzetti Textiles in Perugia. Only months after moving to Italy, with Mother who was visiting, we happened upon some of Brozzetti's artistic pieces at a fine store in Assisi. Mother asked me to find out about ordering custom-made drapes for my master bedroom suite. Mind you, this was in 1969, long before Internet days...so a little mouth-to-mouth investigation was necessary.

We went to the workshop in the dependence of a beautiful villa high in the hills in Perugia to visit both the showroom and the looms. As we approached we could hear that unmistakably exciting sound of the spools being thrown from side to side and the dull sound of wood hitting upon wood - rythmically, steadily, unfalteringly...
the clatter of the eight antique hand looms. That visit was on a warm day in late June...in 1969.

My love affair with Brozzetti's products has a nearly 40 year history. The textiles combine the tradition of historical and documented patterns, the exceptional quality of the finest materials available and an entirely handmade execution.

The combination of designs, colors, borders and materials (cotton, linen and silk) is skillful, the dedication to excellence is exemplary, the determination to continue inspite of ever-present hardships in an increasingly technological world...and the resolve to perservere exclusively - without compromise - by hand, resisting any and all pressure to resort to electricity or automatisms, is in itself a remarkable accomplishment.

Guiditta Brozzetti founded this activity in 1921, certainly not a common endeavor right after World War I...and even less common being a woman. Marta, her great grand-daughter, an architect, is dedicating her life to maintaining this exceptional family tradition. Her products are produced on the same looms and in the same manner as they have been for centuries...and as they were in Giuditta's original workshop.

Today the workshop is beautifully set-up in a deconsecrated church dating from the 13th century, San Francesco delle Donne. Marta works with only two others on eight antique looms, offers classes/workshops and tours.

The textiles are not "commercial" products...but rather the fruit of hard labor, expertise and passion which qualify them as unique "jewels" for connoisseurs. No two items are the same, no two wefts are alike...and only centimeters are made each day!

Genius Loci, reflecting my 40 year love affair with these textiles, proudly supports Marta and her company. Not only do we showcase and promote her products to our guests, we have made wide use of her tapestries, runners, pillows and brocades in our interior decorating at the Inn. Her art has added an extra dimension, a depth and exquisite beauty to our and have greatly enhanced the essence of Umbria. Brozzetti's products are among the finest expressions of the extremely rich artisinal heritage of enchanting Umbria.