PRATO'S SILK MASTERPIECES
A feast for the senses: throughout 2025 the Textile Museum of Prato (Tuscany) is running a special exhibition entitled “Treasures of Silk” that traces the development of Italian luxury woven materials, dating from the Renaissance to the 20th century.
The exhibition is centred round the collections of two eminent donors. For the first time, the recent endowment of over 2000 items that belonged to Florentine doctor Giovanni Falletti is on display, along with that of entrepreneur and art collector Loriano Bertini (1930-2019), which formed the first nucleus of the museum's own collection.
The exhibition offers visitors a unique view of sumptuous patterned silk materials woven over five centuries to create the elaborate clothes of Italian and European royalty, notables and church dignitaries.
Of special interest are the exhibits of textile designs created by modern artists such as the Uk sculptor Henry Moore (donated by the artist) as well as Italian architect and designer Giò Ponti, contemporary designer Bruno Munari, sculptor and printmaker Giò Pomodoro, Futurist artist Thayaht and the French painter Raoul Dufy.
There are also historic curiosities like fragments of tapestry from Egypt from the 4th century AD, and a camel wool fringe belonging to the Nazca culture from Peru, as well as masks and Japanese prints and rare 18th century examples of 18th century embroidery.
The Museum is housed in the former Cimatoria Campolmi factory where die-cutting operations were carried out. This was converted into a museum in 1997.
“Treasures of Silk” exhibition runs until 21st December 2025.
Info: Tel. +39.0574.611503 www.museodeltessuto.it info@museodeltessute.it