Italian Antiques Archives - Page 2 of 2 - The Antiques DivaThe Antiques Diva

Dear Diva Readers,

While it’s fun and exciting to shop for antiques in Europe, once you make your purchases you have to be able to get them home! This can sometimes prove to be a tricky feat, but as long as you’re prepared and versed in the import regulations (or have someone who is), your treasures should arrive safe and sound in your home country. While we do not do shipping ourselves at The Antiques Diva & Co we are always happy to introduce you to some of our favorite shippers who can help get your goods home sweet home across the pond. On tour we help fill out paperwork and liaise you with your chosen shipper.

Before taking a group of VIP Buyers on tour in Italy last week we provided them with a list of preferred shippers and gave them information on export laws before they even started shopping. Let me share an example with you. Did you know that according to Italian law on Heritage, all artistic items more than 50 years old can be exported abroad only following a special export procedure, to get official authorization to cross Italian boundaries? There are forms involved and authorities request photos of the items that are to be exported. It sounds much more complicated than it is – as long as you have the appropriate contacts in place the process can be quite simple.

Also, items made of or containing parts made of materials coming from endangered species (ivory, coral, tortoise shells etc) require a special CITES certificate for export. They can be exported without provenance certification only if they can be declared “made” before 1947. New regulations recently implemented in the United States have made this a hot topic so before buying abroad these items you will want to contact an expert to help with the process to guarantee your purchases will make it into your home country.

If this all sounds intimidating, have no fear because The Antiques Diva & Co is here and we can help you navigate the process of buying abroad and connect you with the right experts who will assist you with any questions!

Can’t wait to take you on an Antiques Diva Tour!

The Antiques Diva®

Dear Diva Readers,

The ancient Tuscan city of Arezzo with its Roman ruins, medieval walls and renaissance architecture was home to many famed architects and artists alike – Piero della Francesca, whose murals adorn many of Italy’s great churches and Giorgio Vasari, creator of the Medici corridor that runs across the Arno – to name just two of Arezzo’s famous artisans. Arezzo has always been a magnet for art lovers. Susan P, my Antiques Diva & Co colleague in Italy offering Antique Shopping Tuscan Tours explains, “It’s no less so today – when the first weekend of the month the town centre is transformed into one huge flea market with over 500 vendors.”

Antiques Diva Tuscan Tour Guide Susan P shopping in Arezzo

Susan advises Italian Flea Market pilgrims to browse the stalls climbing up to Piazza Grande and San Francesco at your leisure, taking time to chat with the vendors, lingering over their Italian accents. “You’ll enjoy the cast of characters hawking their wares,” she explains with a twinkle in her eye. “The vendors love to share stories of their treasures – some of which are even true!” she adds, noting “Some stories the vendors tell have to be taken with a pinch of salt.” But what salt it is… regardless of pedigree, the treasures in Arezzo abound – whether vintage pieces from mysterious scientific instruments to antique toys and furniture, fascinating paintings and religious relics to second-hand crockery, glass, kitchen and cooking items. The market is filled with all varieties of silver as well as a slew of vintage and antique ceramics and yellow-paged books perfect for decorating your shelves. In short, Italian Diva Guide Susan P promises, “It’s impossible to go home empty handed!”

On my last trip to Arezzo, this Little Piggy came home with me!

“Oh the things you will see,” sighs Susan P, Tuscan Antique Shopping Tour Guide

“And that’s just the Flea Market in Arezzo,” she exclaims, “There is much more to discover once you venture off the main arteries from a gallery of small antique shops, to lampshade makers and great hardware stores.”

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