Silk was of the leading character of the history of the Renaissance, an history inherited by Antico Setificio Fiorentino.

Silk arrived at Florence in the 14th Century with the master weavers in exile from Lucca. The animals, both real and mythological, which decorated the textiles of Lucca , soon migrated on the Florentine ones and, in the 15th century the Florentine velvets, damasks, brocades and the lampas were highly sought all over Europe.

The wonderful clothes, in shining silk, which appear in paintings and frescoes of Masaccio, Pontormo and Piero della Francesca, are the faithful reproduction of real marvels, of clothing that was actually worn by the nobility of that time.

"Uccellini" damask, from a design to the 16th century>

The Art of dressing flourished in splendor, to the point where it became necessary to establish norms and criteria for the realization of textiles.

The "Arte della Seta" was the guild given control over them.

< Portrait of Eloenora di Toledo with her son Giovanni de' Medici, 1545-46. Florence, Uffizzi Gallery.

Silk has always been closely tied with the great families of Florence., on the occasion of particularly Important birth, would choose a fabric that, with a certain design and a precise color, would take the name of the new baby.

The Fabric was the exclusive property of the person to whom it was dedicated, and only after his death, could it returned to being produced freely.


<Silk damask "Frescobaldi" from a 16th century design.
Historical Archives of the Antico Setificio Fiorentino

This establishment was located in Via de' Tessitori (Street of the Weavers). The fabrics aroused such great admiration that their production was expanded to satisfy requests pouring in from the aristocratic Palaces all over Europe. In the 18th Century it was the Lorraine family who upheld the textile industry in Florence. In recognition of the importance attributed to the silk industry, in 1780 Pietro Leopoldo donated some looms to the Antico Setificio, looms that are still functioning today. In 1786 the Antico Setificio Fiorentino was transferred to its current location at N. 4 of Via Bartolini, still in the ancient quarter of San Frediano.

The entrance to the Antico Setificio Fiorentino and the old dyeing house>

In 1933 the Setificio was awarded the Royal Patent, The Savoia Royal arms could thus appear on the Setificio's deed and letters. Between 1946 and 1958 the Setificio's activity expanded considerably to South America, Canada, South Africa and many other parts of the world learned to appreciate its production.
In 1958 the marquis Emilio Pucci di Barsento, a partner in the Setificio along with other members of the founding families, acquired the majority share of the company. With his undying love and passion for the beauty and for Florence, he commissioned from the manufactory the fabrics for his Palace , attended by an elite of the international aristocracy and the fashion world, making the Setificio to be known by an even broad public .

Later on, his son the Marquis Alessandro Pucci, followed him in this mission managing this unique laboratory. His dedication to the restoration of the flooded antique looms, returned to their original splendour and perfect working order.

Today the Antico Setificio Fiorentino continues producing exquisite and unique fabrics for the refined tastes of an increasing number of customers, under the ownership of the Pucci Family.

For further information on the Antico Setificio Fiorentino, its history, restoration and reproduction, the interior designs, its fabrics and the history of silk in Italy, we published a book which name is "Antico Setificio Fiorentino" (Le Lettere, 1999) and it is sold at the price of € 45.00.
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