I have always tried to surround myself with things of beauty or great utility - not simply to possess them but to enjoy them daily, allowing them to nourish my soul or make my chores more efficient. I dislike clutter but delight in the sight of items of quality, of artistry, or those which were a witness to the artisan tradition of times gone-by.
My mother shared (or I shared hers!) this philosophy. One of the first and greatest gifts she gave us for our new home in the hills were made-to-order drapes for our master bedroom: we visited the Brozzetti showroom and workshop in Perugia where we both started our love affair with the Brozzetti production. Mother ordered "works of art" for our two very large bedroom windows, a panel for off the hallway entrance to the master bedroom suite and several runners for our dresser and bedside tables.
am still struck by the considerable substance of the superior quality cotton and linen but also by their transparency, by the seeming contrast between these two characteristics. No other drapes have ever graced windows the way these hand-loomed textiles do.
After 38 years they are like new: there is not a day that I don't see them "with new eyes", admiring their beauty and the artistry within them, from the Renaissance San Pietro motif to their execution on the rare, antique wooden looms, created 100% by hand. Pure poetry, superb quality and priceless works of arts. I can still hear the rhythmic "wood on wood" thud (which to me was music) of the working looms when Mother and I first went to visit the Brozzetti villa almost 40 years ago.
a detail of the heavy tapestry panel
There could be no more perfect wedding gift. I am forever grateful for Mother's splendid gift of these Brozzetti drapes and for a remarkable second gift: the artisan inlaid wood trumeau seen in the photo above. Gifts which have brought such enormous daily pleasure.
Take a look for yourselves and consider ordering your wedding gifts:
Comments (2)
The Brozzetti work really is fantastic -- I'm amazed that it has worn so well for so many years. What a wonderful investment!
Posted by sandrac | March 1, 2010 8:02 PM
Posted on March 1, 2010 20:02
Raised in many ways by my grandmother I feel a connection to her that is strengthened with every passing moment and every thought of her. The stories she told and the memories she shared of the village she loved are threaded within my spirit. The heirlooms I cherish most are blankets woven by her hand with thread dyed by her hand, with wool purchased with the sweat of her brow. That is why on a recent trip to her village, when I was introduced to a local weaver I was anxious and excited to see her loom and watch her work. Although filled with the most exquisite textiles inside, her home was modest and rustic on the outside. There were steps that led down a garden path behind the kitchen. Beside a grape arbor where a clothesline also hung was a small shack with a dirt floor where 3 new born chicks were huddled in a corner. The rest of the room was filled by a huge loom where 3 beautiful metres of raw linen were being woven. I thought this was the most extraordinary of sights until I was forwarded to Giuditta Brozzetti's website...the photo showing the old church full of these old looms is exquisite and I applaud that someone is keeping this important tradition alive!! I hope one day I will be able to see it in person. Your post here resinates with me dearly, almost like we are the same person! I will be fulfilling a lifelong dream by starting my first weaving course next week! I am filled with inspiration!! Thank you!
Posted by Liana Sofia Tumino | April 13, 2010 5:59 AM
Posted on April 13, 2010 05:59