Italy is a country of history, art, and tradition. Skills and family businesses are passed down generation to generation. The members of the Biagiotti family of Pienza are one such family. The family now boasts three generations of blacksmiths.
In the early 1900s, Alfredo Biagiotti (the grandfather) started the family tradition of working with iron, and other metals such as copper and brass. His son, Mario, and now Mario’s sons (twins Alberto and Alfredo (no, you are not seeing double) and Samuele) and nephew Giovanni continue this tradition. They no longer shoe horses, but spend their time and creative talents on artistic iron pieces.
Biagiotti is one of my favourite stores in the area. In the main square of Pienza, you will see a store with a sign out front that says “Ferro Battuto Biagiotti“. Inside, it is filled with some of the most beautiful art in iron pieces you have ever seen. If you think that is something, just outside the town (on the way to Montepulciano) is the main warehouse store.
When I have visitors, we usually end up with a visit to the Biagiotti warehouse, along with visiting the sights of Montepulciano and Pienza. One day in late spring, I was able to stop in and speak to Giovanni and see some of their work in progress.
The term “ferro battuto“ translates to beaten (wrought) iron. As the name suggests, all their pieces are handmade by beaten steel. From start to finish, this process is done on location in the back of their “warehouse” store. The forge is heated up and the iron gets fired up.
From the fire, the items are worked on by hand using an anvil and special hammers and tools created especially for the iron work.
They usually start with an idea. Sometimes it’s their own idea, sometimes someone approaches them for a commissioned custom piece. Every item starts with a hand-drawn design. They day I was there, the team was hard at work making some of their cypress trees.
Some of the more fabulous objects they produce are the dragon pieces. The dragon is the symbol of the blacksmith (which makes total sense if you think about it). Biagiotti produces the most beautiful dragon pieces – door knockers, flagstaffs, centrepieces, and once in awhile, if you are lucky, small table lamps.
The house in Italy is furnished with numerous beds, lights, pot racks, coat racks, coffee and side table and lamps from Biagiotti. Two of my favourite pieces are the dragon lamps that are in the master bedroom, which I nicknamed “Al” and “Lo” after my parents Alwyn and Lois. It was during their visit that we found the dragon lamps and one of the dragons is a gift from them. Each dragon lamp is unique and takes over 21 hours, by hand, to make.
Another unique item that is created at Biagiotti is the Palio horses. As a tribute to the famous horse race in their neighbouring town of Siena, there is a horse created for each Contrada. The horses are perfectly weighted and balanced on two very small “hooves”. There are individual horses on stands, or you can have your own horse race!
Outfitting a house? Not only are there pots and pans, there are pot holders to hang them on.
Need a little light, or a big one? They have you covered!
Looking for a special piece for the backyard, or maybe the playroom? An Iron Maiden, complete with interior spikes can be yours!
All this work is making me tired, it’s time for a nap!
If you are on your way from Montepulciano to Pienza or Montalcino (or vice versa), stop in and take a look, tell them Elin sent you. If you fall in love with something but it’s too heavy for your suitcase, they will also ship most items for you.
When: Workshop: 9.30 a.m. to 1.00 a.m. and 3.00 p.m. to 7.00 p.m.; Showroom: 10.30 a.m. to 1.00 a.m. and 3.00 p.m. to 7.00 p.m.
