August 24 – September 8: CORTONANTIQUARIA, Palazzo Vagnotti, Cortona. Hours: Monday, Thursday & Friday 10 am – 1 pm & 3:30 – 8 pm. Tuesday & Wednesday 3:30 – 8 pm, Saturday & Sunday 10 am – 8 pm. Admission: €8 or €12 which includes entrance of Cortona’s Museum of Etruscan Culture (MAEC).
The Cortona Antiques event (Cortonantiquaria) returns to this walled hill town overlooking Val di Chiana. Home of Renaissance artists Luca Signorelli and Pietro da Cortona, the town is also famous as the site of the book and movie “Under the Tuscan Sun.”
Set in the salons of the 18th century Palazzo Vagnotti, more than 30 antique dealers from all regions of Italy display paintings, sculpture, French empire furniture, silver pieces, jewelry and vintage fabrics. Antique lovers from all over Europe, seeking the experience of time travel through hand-crafted objects, come to view Italy’s longest running event dedicated to antiques.
This year’s fair features a special exhibition of 18th century Italian majolica ceramics. Many of the pieces of hand-painted pottery came from the ancient factory in Catrosse and have been handed down in local families. The colorful, one-of-a-kind items will be displayed in Villa Venuti.
Cortonantiquaria awards an annual prize to men, women or institutions honoring their commitment to local culture with a special bond to Cortona. This year the award goes to the University of Georgia in Athens. For 50 years this American university has located many of its study abroad programs in Cortona, with more than 10,000 young people studying art history, science, enology and theatre in the area.
The city of Cortona invites visitors to this exceptional fair. Those who seek to buy a vintage treasure or those who come merely to admire hand-crafted classic items are welcome.
For further information see website: www.cortonantiquaria.it
