Antique dealers of Venice


Venice is world famous for its trade of arts & superb handicraft. Not only this but it is also popular for its artistic trade of paintings, sculptures, precious reliquaries, valued marbles, books, fabrics and many more.

If we move to ancient time we could see that Venice was the first to begin the art collections and development of ancient statues, medals, paintings, engravings and many more. Till now Venice has kept this heritage alive.

In 17th century, Venice has the only government who was governing the “Magistrate for the arts “. The 18th century provided Venice some famous arts merchants as Joseph Smith, Patron and client of the painters Canaletto who dealt in books and paintings during his Venetian visit. After his death Murray, his brother-in-law took his place as consul of England in Venice and became a merchant. His palace in S. Giobbe was full of paintings. After that a lot of Italian intermediaries, speculators, agents and antiques arose but with the collapse of the Serenissima in 1797 there was a loss of artistic value and richness. Gradually the decay of big family also started which bought the precious artistic products and handicraft in the market in 18th century also gave rise to Tullio Silva, one of the experts of Venetian furnishing.

The beginning of 19th century gave birth to antique dealers who created a history in the world of artistic trade in Venice, As Palazzo Antonio Zen who worked as “fine arts pieces and antique dealer” at Palazzo Tron on grand canal, then there was a French antique dealer who worked in a Palace of S.Beneto. Antique Sanquirico was the gift given by school of S.Teodoro, became the most capable businessman of his time. One of the most beautiful arts of painting could be seen at 'the house of Luigi Ronan ' at Madonna dell ‘Orto.

Many popular fine arts and antique dealer arose at the end of this century as Favenza, Guggenheim and many more who have appraised Venice through their talents. A fine collection of antiques could be seemed at Consiglio Ricchetti and Palazzo Manin on the grand canal which was owned by Barbini . To encourage the art of the town Via XXII Marzo was also opened in 1874 and linked Campo S.Moise with Campo S. Maria del Giglio.

In 20th Century the whole town was fulfilled with antique dealers and the shops containing a huge collection of artistic and antique products giving a view of their rich heritage especially in the district of S Marco, S.Moise. Calle dei Fabbri, the Frezzeria. In this century the antique dealers of Venetian origin also explored their talent not only in their own place but outside also as in Milan and U.S.A. Even Dino Levi worked in Angelo near the Grand Canal.

Not only in ancient time but in present time also a network of these an antique shops and dealers could be found spreaded every where, in every street of the town, distributing the lovely heritage and enriching the world with its valuable talent and superb craftsmanship.