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ANGHIARI - Economy
Anhghiarian Arms
The tradition of the gunsmiths. In the 1960's from numerous documents conserved in the Historic Municipal Archive, emmerges the fact that between the 18th and 19th centuries, Anghiari was of the few centers which produced firearms. This discovery made one question the origin of arms which were thought to have been Bresciana (from the city Brescia), involving objects which are part of an extraordinary collection in Italy and abroad, from Windsor to Paris, from London to Chicago. This attribution was made even more certain by the fact that these objects were autographed by the artisans who made them, and in some cases, after the signature was also found the name Anghiari.
Because of this clamorous finding an exposition was given in 1968 in the just restore Palace Tagleschi.Iron mines dating back to the time of the Etruschi, and large quantities of wood were also found in the Anghiarian territory.
Furthermore, being near the Papal State, favored the exportation of these products which because of its economic position was ready to accept any type of production coming from other states. Anghiarian arms are distinguished in fact for the fine engraving on the mechanic part of the weapon and the incredible, rich decorating, obtained by an antique technique consistant to qachieve precious, polychrome effects, through the incrustation of precious metals with those less valuable and then suitably chisled.
The production was not totally Anghiarian( the gun barrels were from Pistoia), but the origin from Anghiari was synonomous with distinction, which made these arms certainly appreciated by an elite public. The names of these illustrious artisans? Favilla, Guardiani, Cerboncelli, Matassi, Vallini, Miccioni, Vagnetti, up until arriving at the production of those of Maso di Fama where unfortunately, you can begin to note the anticipated complexty which lead to the end of the tradition of the gunsmiths of Anghiari. The expo of Anghiarian firearms was an exceptional event which brought art and tradition once again into the limelight, through its pistols and muskets (like the one of Favilla being a unique exemplary) which up until that time was unknown and scattered throughout the world.
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