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As in the case of an endangered species, the probability of spotting the traditional art of Umbrian weaving in its natural habitat is scant, which is what makes Brozzetti Laboratorio di Tessitura a Mano (Brozzetti’s hand weaving workshop) so unique.
Housed in the oldest Franciscan church in Perugia, la Chiesa di San Francesco delle Donne (1212), this textile workshop was founded in 1912 by the formidable Giuditta Brozzetti, who crisscrossed Umbria copying and conserving traditional decorative motifs from Medieval and Renaissance textiles.
Today the Brozzetti family consists of the fourth generation of craftswomen, who continue operating the workshop and school where they produce hand-woven fine jacquard cloth on antique wooden manual looms, many dating from the 19th century.
To visit the workshop is to step back in time…the loud click-clack of the looms working, the gentle light filtering through the enormous apse window, the stylized patterns of griffons, pomegranates, and twisting vines in all imaginable shades of color.
A rare sighting, indeed.
- Contributed by Rebecca Brigolante, owner of Brigolante Apartments, a restored 16th century stone farmhouse / guesthouse in the heart of Umbria near Assisi, and blogger of life in Umbria here. Photos kindly provided by Marit Alanen. Many thanks!
Thank you, Rebecca, for your unique and beautifully written note.
the web site link to brozzetti textile is incorrect. It should be “Brozzetti Laboratorio di Tessitura a Mano” instead of ” Brozzetti Laboratorio di Tesseratura a Mano”.
Tesseratura means making tiles not weawing.
The site is exquisite; the linens are beautiful. And, can you imagine a more inspiring place to work?
Thank you for letting us know about Brozzetti products and history. I was in Perugia a few years ago and had no idea the place was there.
Brava Rebecca – you beat me to writing about this workshop! This was a favorite of ours when we lived in Perugia – a terrific find! I have some of these lovely linens gracing my bedroom. Marta told us that while this business has been in her family for generations, she is the first to be a weaver. She is a lovely young woman with larger expressive eyes and full of the knowledge of her trade – and more than willing to show you around this stunning space and to make things to order. We ordered some linens as a wedding gift to our friends in Germany, had them sent to Verona where were living then and all arrived just as planned and just as lovely as anticipated!
We made sure to bring all of the friends who visited us in Umbria to This wonderful site. Marta is so gracious and patient.
Thank you, Rebecca, for this article and pictures. I enjoy these articles soooo much! I know it had to be a great experience to be there and see this in action. I would love to experience this too. It amazes me how they can do this and make such wonderful patterns. The machines or looms seem so intricate and complicated. It is amazing to me how they can seem to work them with such ease. I for one would love to see your article and pictures too, Rosemary. Another perspective is not redundant but just added knowledge. I appreciate all of you who contribute with your writings and pictures. Rosemary your bedroom must be beautiful with these linens in them and a priceless gift to give to someone. Thanks for sharing.