Many have heard about the benefits of shopping and fabulousfinds at European flea markets, but not all of us know how and where to look for the best markets of rarities and curiosities. In our report today, we will tell you what exactly can be found at the markets, whether you should trust the authenticity of items, and how these markets work. Interior designer Zhenya Zhdanova visited many flea markets in Italy this year and told us everything about them. Zhenya Zhdanova, interior designer — Creates interiors, develops and produces her own line of furniture and accessories for the home. She is the owner of the boutique Divadecor.ru, is a member of the ODI (Association of Interior Decorators). Mother of three children, blogger and traveler. divadecor.ru
- Once a month in almost every self-respectingIn an Italian town, there is a Mercato Antico, Mercadillo Antoquariato or Mercarino Antico - a flea or antique market. Most often, it takes place on Sunday - the first, second, third or last of each month. Each town has its own rules and nuances, so if you want to know exactly the day and time of the market, it is better to check the schedule in advance.
Antique markets in the Italian province will strike you right in the heart with their sincere charm. The prices will please you with their adequacy, and the sellers will please you with their friendliness, charm and flexibility in the bargaining process.
On the day of the market, the main street or squareThe city turns into an incredibly lively place. Already from 5 am, sellers' cars begin to arrive here - trucks, pickups, trailers - tables are hastily set up and all the ancient treasures are unpacked and carefully laid out in their places. At about 9 am, the first buyers appear. Here you will meet many tourists, but locals also like to stroll along the shopping rows.
If tourists mainly pay attention tosmall in size and not heavy in weight objects of art, interior or everyday life that you can take with you, then the locals may well be interested in a set of six chairs, a beautiful sideboard from the 18th century or even an unliftable antique cast-iron stove. Bargaining goes on until dark, and in the best traditions of the market. Buyers knock down the price, saying that it is too high, and sellers in Italian loudly and emotionally tell the most incredible legends about their items, on the contrary, thereby driving up the price. Buyers leave, return and in the end they always find a compromise with the sellers. After the purchase, they may give you something else as a keepsake, kiss you goodbye and the parting will be more like the parting of old good friends.
For large-sized furniture, the market usuallyA separate place is provided. Here, under light mobile awnings or even without them, depending on the weather, antique cabinets, chests of drawers, marble portals, beds, armchairs, chests, tables and chairs are displayed. Sellers lay out small items on mobile tables and directly on the ground.
What treasures can be found here?
From an antique headboard made in the 16th century and brought from a Venetian palazzo, or a luxurious dressing table to silverware, small boxes and vintage costume jewelry.
The choice of furniture and truly old ones is amazinginterior items. Here you can find incredible antique doors, marble fireplace mantels, hand-made tiles, magnificent mirrors in gilded frames, armchairs, sofas, sideboards and cabinets, tables and chairs.
If you want real old art, thenIt is worth paying attention to the works of unknown Italian artists in luxurious frames and marble sculptures. A huge selection of decorative and applied art items and furniture of various historical styles and periods - a variety of antique frames, crystal chandeliers of the 18th-19th centuries and lamps of the 50-60-70s of the last century, bedside tables, tables and chests of drawers painted in the second half of the 18th century, French consoles in the style of Louis XIV, dark carved furniture of the 15th-16th centuries in the Gothic style, as well as tapestries, tapestries and Persian carpets.
From time to time you come across strange objects,which are difficult to imagine in modern life, for example, a barber chair from the 1930s, a dentist's chair, a slot machine, a metal baby bath or church accessories.
But there are thousands of small household items— Limoges porcelain, Wedgewood porcelain, silver or silver-plated tableware, jugs, trays, sugar bowls, dishes and cutlery — will fit perfectly into any interior even today.
If you want to surprise someone with something unusuala gift, it is difficult to imagine where you could find a more original thing. A telescope from an English marine factory with the inscription "1915", a retro radio or a gramophone with an amazing pipe can be a great gift for a man. And a porcelain box made of Limoges porcelain, a fabulous mirror with a handle, an elegant bronze candlestick with an angel or a table mannequin for storing jewelry will please any woman.
You can also find items created herelocal craftsmen - metal letters, paintings, household items. For them, such a market is a great place to find new clients, and for buyers - an excellent opportunity to get acquainted with the peculiarities of the local color.
