5749 Antiques in Le Marche

I've always found the Antiques fair at Ascoli to be a worthwhile visit. There are simply tonnes of stalls there selling all sorts of curiosities from furniture and paintings to small trinkets.

MarcheMark, [url=http://www.italymag.co.uk/forums/building-renovation/2124-antique-furniture-auctions-le-marche.html]this link[/url] (and associated links/advice) may help?

There is a weekly antiques market in the Piazza in Fermo but I am not sure if it is all year round or only in the summer I will check and post when I know

Thanks everyone, I'll try all of the above!
all the best,
Elizabetta
[url]www.intdesgnco.com[/url] and [url=http://www.elizabetta.net]Italian silk scarves, evening wraps and Vakko silk scarves - Elizabetta Online Boutique[/url]

Fermo is Summer only. I've thought a lot about Italian antiques and have to say that I think the furniture is over-restored and not to my liking

I've heard several reasons given for the fact that there is so little mid-range "country" antique furniture in Italy. One is that in the old days the peasants just made something to sit on/eat on and when it wore out they used it as firewood.

There is also the feeling that old furniture is "dead man's furniture" and shouldn't be kept.

Although I still keep a lookout for old furniture I'm afraid that I've imported a lot of stuff that I have bought in auctions in the UK.

Another (small) reason for a lack of good second hand furniture is that many 'country living' Italians have large, purpose built rooms beneaththeir houses, usually next to thier basement garages called [I]'la taverna'[/I]. Of course they're not taverns but usually rooms with a built in corner fireplace/pizza oven. They are used for the family gatherings nearly every weekend and often on weekday evenings too. There is generally a wc and a sink too and often with large families there will be 20/25 people plus (obviously) the kids.

Everyone chips in with old pieces of furniture - chairs, tables, dressers, kitchen cupboards plus all the old cutlery and crockery they have. I have seen some of these places kitted out with antique glass cabinets, balloon back chairs, good refectory tables and goodness knows what. When asked why they used antiques to furnish their taverna's the reply was invariably the same "Ma no, non e roba anitca e soltanto roba vecchia che non vogliamo piu".

Elizabetta, I have just started a business in Le Marche supplying rustic furniture. Please contact me at [email]rksjss@yahoo.co.uk[/email]. I 'd be pleased to help.

[quote=tuscanhills;52152]MarcheMark, [URL="http://www.italymag.co.uk/forums/building-renovation/2124-antique-furniture-auctions-le-marche.html"]this link[/URL] (and associated links/advice) may help?[/quote]

And also this list [URL="http://www.taccuinodiviaggio.it/mercati/mercati-it-marche.htm"]here[/URL] which seems to be extremely comprehensive (it's in Italian but should be easy enough for anyone to follow). :biggrin:

thanks!
great list of antique markets. Fortunately I'm fluent in Italian, so the language is no problem!

The antique market in Ascoli is usually the thrid week-end of every month but this month it started today (next wk is carnivale) and continues tomorrow. This market usually has the same vendors each month but takes up much of both of the big piazza along with food vendors in Pz Roma. Always a wide assortment of furniture, china, books and other items.

hi elizabeth,
years ago i was representing christie's italy in le marche and umbria, i can give some good advice but mostly on the high quality.my first suggestion,once you find something you want to buy...: don't deal directly,you need somebody local-honest-simple,better if he's in the business,who will buy for you (earning a small commission)as the cost between them is very often less than the half (i cannot help on this but can give some good address!)
i saw your interesting site, i do work as interior designer too so i might need your help for customers in your area,who knows?
andrea
[url=http://www.marche-project-management.com]Marche Project Management[/url]

Hi,
Yours is a complaint that I hear regularly. I have recently started collecting bits and bobs for resale (literally I have just a few bits and bobs - blanket boxes mainly) and know a few Italians that do the same thing. Prices are definitely much cheaper than at the markets (though you may have to do the restoration yourself). In Petritoli there is also a small antique dealer that has some nice pieces. I also have a friend who moved to Monteleone di Fermo on Sunday and she has bought some pieces from the UK to resell (she was an antiques dealer in the UK).
Not sure if any of that is any help.
Regards
Jo
[url=http://www.southernlemarche.com]LE MARCHE[/url]

Inspired interior design [url=http://www.intdesignco.com]Inspired interior design consultation Le Marche Italy - design + co.[/url]
Exquiste Italian scarves and shawls [url=http://www.elizabetta.net]Italian silk scarves, evening wraps and Vakko silk scarves - Elizabetta Online Boutique[/url][/quote]

There is a large antique/local craft market up in the old part of Fermo town on a Thursday, late afternoon start I think. But it only runs in August and September, so something for the diary rather than now.
To slightly change the subject, there doesnt seem to be the same idea re jumble, bric a brac, used books sales here, and I and friends have stuff we would like to get rid of for a small price, we were wondering how we might legally go about this, is anyone else interested in the same idea, and does anyone have any thoughts on how we might achieve it?
Thanks
A

Hi,
I am trying to find out the legalities of a car boot sale in order to persuade the Comune of Petritoli to organise one. I miss them soooooo much!!
Jo
[url=http://www.southernlemarche.com]LE MARCHE[/url]

if your looking for a local location, we are based in MVC, and we could put 15/20 cars in our drive and grounds ...........5/8 bucks a car or stall , with all money going to Vox Poetica Ensemble..............just a thought............

[quote=jowilliams;84622]Hi,
I am trying to find out the legalities of a car boot sale in order to persuade the Comune of Petritoli to organise one. I miss them soooooo much!!
Jo
[url=http://www.southernlemarche.com]LE MARCHE[/url][/quote]

Have you tried to contact the local branch of EMMAUS? If you do not know who they are, it's a Catholic organisation looking after the poor, the homeless and the immigrants. It is customary to give them any piece of furniture that you do not want. In certain places, they have their own shops open to the public, but in others they simply collect and send away or they sell to some dealers. You may link up with them and perhaps start something like a regurlar market or car boot sale. In France they have become very popular and call them "braderie", some attract important dealers but some are on a local basis only. Usually part of the benefits go towards a charitable cause and councils are happy to lend halls, etc. for that purpose. Just go to the nearest Catholic parish and make some enquiries. Probably, they would be delighted to hear from someone who wants to help them. Good luck!

Due to language difficulties I appear to be standing for election to the Pro Loco this evening. Fortunately, not as an individual but as part of a team of 7 (still don't know how it happened!!). Anyway, at my meeting with them last night I mentioned the car boot sale and as long as we get elected it will be incorporated into the Festa De Le Cove.
Early days yet, but I would like to then develop it into a regular event, thereby helping Petritoli. There is always the risk that we will lose this great Festa, as many villages have already lost theirs. It would be such a shame.
We are neighbours then?!!!
Jo Williams
[url=http://www.southernlemarche.com]LE MARCHE[/url]

Please keep us informed Jo, would like to help if we could.
Angie

That would be fantastic - all help will be welcome (or deperately needed would perhaps be a better way of putting it)- I just have to get elected now!! The plan is a car boot sale, cheap second hand furniture and artists and artisans fair (the last 2 they do anyway but anyone interested can always join the list).
There is supposedly a food fair or something at Sadam's sunday morning just in case you didn't know. I think that is near you isn't it. When I say in Sadam's, at least it is in a capanone there somehwere, or so I am told.
Regards
Jo Williams
[url=http://www.southernlemarche.com]LE MARCHE[/url]