Frilli Gallery

The Frilli family of Florence has been producing sculptures since 1860, soon becoming the world’s most important supplier of high quality replicas. They are still going strong; there is something in their establishment to satisfy every taste, including faithful copies of masterpieces found in museums, as well as contemporary work. Each piece is cast in bronze using the “lost wax” technique, or hand carved in Carrara marble. There is an exhaustive repertoire in the shop, but even more to be found in their catalogue. If you can’t find what you want, you can even have something made to order.

The rooms, of some 500 square meters, are whimsically crowed with pieces of all sizes and subjects, vying for space: a life sized Roman discus thrower next to Michelangelo’s Bacchus, a crocodile next to a small bronze bronco-buster- and on and on in head spinning profusion.

One of the many important commissions of Frilli was the molding and casting of a replica of Ghiberti’s Doors of Paradise (the Baptistry). They now stand in place of the originals, which have been moved to the Duomo museum.

If that weren’t enough, the gallery also hosts exhibitions of contemporary sculptors, such as that of the Danish artist Bjorn Okholm Skaarup, whose playful work is haphazardly mingled with all the rest.

You’ll find the Frilli Gallery in an 18th century palace in the antiques quarter of Florence, at 26R, Via dei Fossi. Include it in a walking tour of the historic center. Be prepared to spend some time there. Be prepared to be amazed!

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