Trade of Islamic Works of Art
Notes on Florence Market Between Seventeenth and Eighteenth Centuries
abstract
A long series of experiences over the centuries as a result of the political, commercial and cultural relationships has inevitably and inseparably linked the city of Florence to the East. In the years between the 19th and 20th centuries, characterized by a great cultural vitality, the international role of the Tuscan city was boosted by the trade in works of art, including Islamic. In this sense, highly relevant feedbacks are the licenses relating to the export of works of art preserved in the Archivio Storico dell’Ufficio Esportazione della Soprintendenza Speciale per il Patrimonio Storico, Artistico ed Etnoantropologico per il Polo Museale of Florence. The recognition of this large group documentary, which includes acts relevant to the years 1877-1915, helped to confirm, if proof were needed, that Florence was a city of remarkable vivacity and place of collection of paramount objects of Islamic art. The above mentioned information, although unpublished, does not identify clearly the objects, however, through the intersection of these data with other sources, it was possible to identify some items not only documenting the involvement of Florence in the sales abroad of works of Islamic art, but also finding additional data such as the seller (antique dealer) and sales prices.