Florence/Firenze armories or shops?
 

I am in Florence, Italy for a few days. Does any know of any collections to view, and/or shops to visit?

I have some pictures from an armory in Milan that I will post as soon as possible. Interesting cinquedas, kindjals, and a saber once belonging to a young Napolean.

Best Regards,

Dave A.

I was in Florence in April.

The arms and armour room of the Bargello is excellent, but you will need to contact the curator to make arrangements to view.

Please PM me for her email address.

Alan.

I always recommend the Museo Stibbert to folks headed to Florence. Hope you have fun. :)

Hello,

The 'Gallori Turchi' has been recommended by a friend of mine who has recently visited. Said to be Florence's largest and most important dealers in arms and armour, but this I cannot confirm. May be worth a look. Have fun, I am very jealous! :)

Regards

Also I recommend to You a visit to the Stibbert museum.

http://www.museostibbert.it/main/dove-siamo.html

Paolo

Hello Dave,

How was your visit last year ?

I intend to visit Florence this year. any recommendations based on your visit ?

Best regards,
Willem

MUSEO DI STORIA NATURALE
 

If you are interested in Indonesian weapons (Nias, Batak, Enggano, Mentawai) the MUSEO DI STORIA NATURALE Antropologia e Etnologia in Florence is a must.

http://www.msn.unifi.it/CMpro-l-s-7.html

IF.... :):)

Thanks Albert.
I assume you visited it for your book on Enggano weapons ?

Best regards,
Willem

Enggano in Florence
 

Hello Willem,

Unfortunately I haven't been there yet :(
But I do have pictures of all the Indonesian stuff :)

Albert

I am back from Italy.

Here an impression from the : MUSEO DI STORIA NATURALE Antropologia e Etnologia in Florence

I like the old fashioned way of display with full display cases.
Some more information on the items displayed would have been nice.

Timely thread. I'll be in Florence in September too so shall be checking out these locations. Thanks for the advice.

Horsa

Hello Horsa,

Have a nice trip.

Another interesting museum mentioned here above is Museo Stibbert.
At this moment the Stibbert museum has a separate exhibition with japanese armour in a modern and well lighted exhibition room.
It can be viewed after the guided tour throught the museum.

Best regards,
Willem

I have returned from Florence where I visited the extraordinary Stibbert museum!

Unfortunately no photos allowed. But here are some observations:

The collection is in what appears to be a mansion designed to house the collection, though I think Mr Stibbert lived there once too.

They dont let you wander around. There are hourly "tours" in which a guide takes a group from room to room. You dont have to listen in though and anyway I couldnt because its in Italian, they just dont leave people alone.

The museum is like an alternate reality, with stately rooms, oil paintings, fantastic floors and of course rows and rows of armour and weapons. There must have been thousands of pieces.

The Islamic and Eastern armour collections are brilliant. There is one room in particular filled with fearsome looking bearded chaps wearing mainly Indo-Persian armour and weapons. They look like they are marching off to war somewhere, resolute and committed. Straight out of a time warp its quite an inspiring vision.

And there is the famous cavalcade room which has about 14 (I forgot to count) mounted knights - Turks at the back and Europeans at the front.

Everywhere there is dust and very little labelling. Sometimes weapons are virtually piled together. At first I found this odd in comparison to the highly organized Wallace Collection, but then I came to really appreciate this unique approach to the museum. It felt like the mansion has been sealed up for 100 years and you are the first one in there. The atmosphere is really amazing and surprising and very different.

There are some truly exceptional pieces if you poke around. Like Ottoman tombak helmets and chamfrons. There are many surprises. Under benches can be found lurking Egyptian mummies. Even the odd legionary helmet makes an appearance.

I thought Mr Stibbert was going to pop out anytime dressed in his custom 13th century chivalric armour with a glass of chianti in his hand. If he did I would shake his hand and thank him for leaving behind this wonderful collection.

I give it 10 our of 10. Highly recommended for the depth and quality of the collection, friendly staff and unique atmosphere.

Hello Horsa,

Glad you liked the Stibbert. the quantity and atmosphere are indeed very special.
Here the cavalcade. I count 12 knights on horseback.

+ a picture of a few of the indian weapons