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Discovering ancient trades in the streets of Lucca

A route taking us round some of Lucca's craft shops, where ancient tools and the passion of bygone days are still very much in evidence, and where devotion to one's craft outweighs financial gain. Places where the enjoyment of traditional art is still very much alive and not choked by technological production methods, ready to be handed down to apprentices and assistants during the daily practice of their trade.

In the Artistic Lithographs studio in Via della Zecca prints are still being produced using lithographic presses dating from the beginning of the century using Bavarian limestone. Work is carried out on commission from private clients, and especially from galleries, painters or other organisations that want to put on exhibitions.
Visitors are welcome, either individually or in groups. They are shown how the machines are used as well as certain stages of the work process, but it is necessary to book the visit by telephone.

Not far from here, in Piazza San Francesco, there is a studio of workers in bronze that has been in existence for over thirty years. They produce brass furnishings, even based on drawings: lamps, lamp-posts and beds. They start from the laminates and proceed to create works of various shapes and sizes. Their main clients are architects, but work is also done for private clients.

Guido and Lamberto Simi have worked in their Frames and Bookbinding studio in Via del Battistero since they were very young. They bind books using traditional methods for those who have not yet got used to paperbacks and still enjoy the feel of the leather or parchment of genuine bindings. Their clients are mainly private individuals and many requests are also received from abroad. The studio also produces handcrafted frames, which can also include inlays, starting from the working of the raw wood. You can book a visit to discover the secrets of the workshop.

In Via del Crocifisso there is a Laboratory, founded in 1993, specialising in the restoration of old and contemporary works of art. Here they restore paintings on canvas and panel, wood sculptures and ornaments in wood and stone. The owners are keen to point out that nowadays, much more so than in the past, scientific methods are used as much as possible so it is vital to have carried out specific courses of study.
This is also why the laboratory accepts students from schools specialising in restoration.