A valley of opportunities
The origins of the house of Busatti, a store in Anghiari
In 1755 the Busatti family arrived in Anghiari from Valdarno, from Laterina, where there still is a chapel which bears witness to their presence In the territory. Thanks to the Gran Dukes of Tuscany, the high Tiber valley became a fertile and populated plain full of new opportunities. The Busatti family purchased and refurbished an old oven within the town castle walls after a few years they opened another one in the area which was to become “il mercatale” the market outside of the castle walls.
Busatti Srl
Dressing Napoleon soldiers
Giovan Battista, son of Niccolò Busatti, purchased Palazzo Morgalanti, still today headquarters of the firm, and opened a store in 1795. At the store he sells a bit of everything: foodstuffs (cold cuts, haddock, anchovies), yarn, bread and anything marketable. In historical documents we learn that he is generous and routinely lends money to the people of the village. The turning point came in 1797 when the soldiers of the Napoleonic Army, guided by General Gaultier arrive. They settle themselves at the top story of the Palazzo Morgalanti Busatti’s house and then in the basement they start wool production (spinning, weaving) to supply blankets, uniforms and clothes to the soldiers. Little by little they use all five floors of the Palazzo.
1800-1842
Birth of Busatti weaving mill
When the Napoleonic occupation ended, the Busatti family took back the Palazzo and with it, their weaving operation
In 1899, Giovan Battista, moves to the Santa Croce area with his wife and first born son, Mario, who arrived in 1800. In 1815, after the Napoleonic Era, the Busatti family takes possession of their workshop/house and, with the backing of the Grand Duke, they shift from being merchants to spinner artisans. This is recorded in the Grand Duke of Tuscany General Atlas around 1820.
Mario Busatti, the founder
For years the weaving plant sits idle. Then, in 1842 Mario Busatti puts in eight wooden looms in this workshop, plus a warping machine. He hires ten weavers, This is the official date of the establishment of the Busatti weaving mill. Mario introduces wooden equipment in addition to some that are cast iron, which he bought from the Ruti company in Switzerland. He also introduces the production of hemp (cannabis sativa) as well as cotton. These new looms can make up to one and one half yard wide cloths, compared to the only one yard wide standard domestic looms of the day. This gives Busatti a strong advantage in business.
1842-1900
Busatti at the time of Risorgimento
The women of the house of Busatti manage business at the time of Garibaldi
Mario Busatti gave his all to the business and when he passed away, in 1868, his sons Giovan Battista, Angelo and Giuseppe take over the company. It is time of the Risorgimento (the Italian Unification) and only Giuseppe continues to work in and run the company with his brothers wives.One of Giovan Battista’s sons Gregorio, who wants to learn the business, travels for over a year throughout Europe, stopping in Vienna, Berlin, Paris and Austria.
An air of renewal
After learning the art of tailoring, Gregorio comes back to the business and establishes a workroom that, in a short time, becomes well-known and is spoken of highly in the province of Arezzo. Gregorio goes to the town of Arezzo to personally tailor suits for the best ateliers. Unfortunately, he catches pneumonia which causes his death at the tender age of 35. This tragic event leaves Giuseppe in charge of Busatti, who encounters great difficulties heading the business. His son, Livio, will lead Busatti to is greatest heights ever.
1900-1945
Busatti during war time
Two World Wars, devastating to Italy, do not stop production and Busatti actually enjoys a time of great expansion
Livio, a very devote person, has to leave Busatti for a time to serve Italy in the Great War. His wife, Romilda is entrusted with running the business along with the faithful Foscolo. Busatti starts supplying convents, hospices, ecclesiastic boarding schools as well as hospitals. Also included are the Ministry of Foreign Affairs as well as the Army. We have a saying in regards to the uniforms produced for the Great War, “Our uniforms have been to war on the Carso, in San Michele and in Sabotino and have followed the soldier underground, fully sharing his destiny”.
Livio, pioneer of “work at home”
After the second World War sales grow and retails stores are opened in the High Tiber Valley, eventually totaling eight. In addition to Anghiari, there are stores in Sansepolcro, Città di Castello. Pieve Santo Stefano, Perugia and Umbertide. Livio hears from his fellow countrymen that they are not happy that their wives have to leave home and come to work in the factory. Ever the innovator, he builds over 100 looms and delivers them to the homes of his women workers who live in the valley. This allows the housewives to “work at home”. Forever rememberi
Weaving
Busatti’s Textile World: three projects that blend tradition, innovation and creation.
In the cellars of Palazzo Morgalanti, the historic premises in Anghiari, the shuttle looms (which date from the 1920s to the 1960s) admirably do their work. With skill and patience they weave linen and cotton threads for unique and resistant textiles. A task that they have been repeating daily for many years, but which would not be possible without the artisan knowledge of those who look after and manage these machines. Stefano R. and Annibale are the souls of Anghiari’s weaving, they are responsible for the magic that is repeated every day.
A few kilometres away, craftsmanship meets technology and modernity. In the new factory, powered by an important photovoltaic system, the most innovative designs are born, zero impact fabrics (such as the one made with seaweed fibre) and the prototypes designed by Stefano S. will be the protagonists of the new collections.
WARP is our latest creation: the workshop of ideas that come to life to open new paths in the Busatti world, under the careful eye (and hand) of Stefano S.
Weavers in Tuscany since 1842
In Tuscany, in Anghiari, Busatti has handcrafted natural linen fibers, hemp and cotton since 1842. The result are fabrics that keep alive the spirit of the country and the Renaissance traditions but which stay new and innovative through new processing that we put into our colors and finishing, while never sacrificing quality.
The company is owned by the same family for eight generations, earning respect and valuing continuity.
Yarn, of the highest quality, are completely processed in Italy. The dye is applied directly on the thread not on the bolt, to grant a longer and more brilliant wear.
The store and the factory/laboratory are still in the same historical Palazzo in Anghiari: Palazzo Morgalanti, which dates back to the fifteenth century.
Busatti offers a vast choice of fabrics by the meter/yard and finished collections for:
Tableware: tablecloths, placemats, napkins, runners, cavalieri (tète à tète/ crossed placemat);
Kitchenware: kitchen towels, aprons, mitts, bread warmers;
Bedding: bed-sheeting, cushions, shams, bed spreads, coverlets, quilts, duvet covers;
Children and baby bedding: cribs, cradles, bed-sheets, quilts, duvet covers, bibs, pajama bags;
Window treatment and upholstery: curtains, sheers;
Bath-ware: towels, bathrobes, bath carpets
We offer full range of limited edition accessories such as women bags, beach bags, shoes, belts, ties perfect for corporate gifts.
Each product is finished and embellished by skilled and expert hands with hemstitch, hand-made laces, embroideries, monograms and lily-stitch.
A very important point of strength of Busatti is offering a made to measure/customized service personalized to the extreme, creating original solutions to meet our clients special needs.
Custom orders are our specialty.
Busatti has a network of stores throughout Italy and in countries all over the world.
