Publisher's Synopsis
Every traveler to Florence wants to go home with a special souvenir: a leather handbag, a piece of gold jewelry, hand-printed stationery, or one of the city's famous luxury fabrics. But selecting which jacket or which wallet to buy can be an intimidating experience. How do you know if you're buying something authentic, something made locally and in a traditional way? How do you gauge how much you should pay, and how do you know if you're being ripped off? How do you determine if you have fallen prey to one of the city's many tourist traps? Laura Morelli, art historian and trusted guide in the world of cultural travel and authentic shopping, leads you to the best of the city's most traditional arts: fabrics, frames, jewelry, leather goods, maiolica, paper, woodcrafts, and more. This indispensable guide includes practical tips for locating the most authentic goods in one of the busiest tourist destinations in the world. Packed with useful information on quality and value, along with a comprehensive resource guide, Laura Morelli's Authentic Arts: Florence is the perfect guide for anyone wanting to bring home the unique traditions of the capital of the Italian Renaissance.
