Experience Florence
Widely considered to be the birthplace of the Renaissance, Florence has been a center of art, fashion, and trade for almost a millennia. Carlyle is pleased to share some of the most unique and exclusive experiences that Florence has to offer. In conjunction with Carlyle Members and accomplished Florentine families, the following experiences have been hand-picked for the Carlyle Members Florence Forum and are available for booking by our guests. Details follow below.
Torrini Manifattura Orafa
The Torrini Dynasty of Designer Jewelry has its roots back in the fourteenth century. Jacobus Torrini of Scarperia, Italy began crafting fine suits of armor for the knights of the land. He registered his unique trademark in 1369 in Florence with the Guild of Iron Wrights, Armorers, and Nailmakers. For his mark, he cleverly combined a spur, symbolizing the armor, and a half clover, symbolizing the good luck he wished his business to have. Today, the half clover still characterizes the mark of the Houseof Torrini.
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Today’s Torrini Dynasty members and goldsmiths still utilize a finishing technique developed by Jacopus Torrino. His technique made use of relevant facts from the writings of Benevenuto Cellini. He was a goldsmith and sculptor of some renown, to create a dipping solution that brings out and enhances the natural colors of the metal. This process referred to as “Oro Nativo” which translates to native gold, has become the quintessential facet of Torrini designs.
To make a reservation for this experience, please reach out to our contact listed below. They will assist you with the details and are looking forward to hearing fom you.
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Officina Profumo-Farmaceutica di Santa Maria Novella
The Officina Profumo-Farmaceutica di Santa Maria Novella can trace its roots back to the Florence of 1221. In that year, Dominican friars founded the convent of Santa Maria Novella, and began to cultivate - among other things - a garden. From that same garden, many centuries of experience in pharmacopoeia and natural preparations began to develop. And in later years that experience would expand to include the worlds of cosmetics, fragrances and wellness products.
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Officiana's products quickly gained international acclaim, and are prized by royal houses, notable artists and personalities. 18th and 19th centuries were a period of audacious growth and innovation: alongside the traditional preparations, cosmetic and personal care items such as balms, ointments, soaps and perfumes become extremely popular. In the 20th Century, the Officina relaunched and turned its Florentine traditional shop in Via della Scala 16 into a major museum, a prominent touristic and cultural destination.
To make a reservation for this experience, please reach out to our contact listed below. They will assist you with the details and are looking forward to hearing fom you.
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Ceramica ND Dolfi
The company was founded in 1941 by Giovanni Dolfi, lodged in a castle overlooking the town of Montelupo. In 1994, his son, Silvano, decided to set up an independent company, Ceramica ND Dolfi. A few years later, after gaining the trust and esteem of the international market, further progress was made in the drive for quality, with the creation of the spacious, modern facility that houses the company today.
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Silvano Dolfi led the company until 2009, receiving from the region of Tuscany the gold medal award as Master Craftsman, before handing over the reins to his daughters Daria and Natalia, who, together with the latter’s husband, Carlo, today manage all aspects of the manufacturing process
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The company uses only high quality raw materials. The clay, the glaze and color bases, everything is handled, reworked and mixed according to the rules dictated by the majolica artwork tradition, following the criteria and sense of taste that constitute the secrets of the trade.
To make a reservation for this experience, please reach out to our contact listed below. They will assist you with the details and are looking forward to hearing fom you.
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Ceramica ND Dolfi
Il Papiro is a company which produces items in hand decorated paper with techniques inspired by the tradition of Tuscany. Established 1976, in Firenze, Italy, Il Papiro introduced items utilizing almost extinct techniques such as the marbleizing of paper. Therefore, this, in turn, contributed to the renewed desire for items in hand decorated paper. Using a technique from the XVII century, “papier à cuve”, hand decorated papers are created in twelve colors. No two papers are alike, in other words, making them unique and a work of art.
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The highly artisan production of Il Papiro covers a variety of items from bound diaries, photo albums, desk accessories, frames, keepsake boxes and stationery. In addition, items are produced following methods and procedures in the best tradition of Italian craftsmanship. Our books are bound using traditional materials and artistry. Stationery and cards are printed with great care using varied printing techniques on watermarked papers and 100% cotton card stock,
Items are produced in Firenze for the past 40 years in their workshop. Il Papiro now supplies hand marbleized papers to a worldwide audience.
To make a reservation for this experience, please reach out to our contact listed below. They will assist you with the details and are looking forward to hearing fom you.
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All locations are conveniently located near downtown Florence and the Villa Dimora Ghirlandaio as shown in the map below.
