Artimino Archaeological Museum: permanent collection grows with 80 ivory objects

Artimino Archaeological Museum expands permanent collection with ivory artifacts

The Francesco Nicosia Archaeological Museum in Artimino is widening its permanent collection by acquiring 80 ivory objects from the princely tomb of Montefortini at Comeana. The pieces will be formally added to the collection on the afternoon of Friday, March 13 at 5:30 PM.

These artifacts, already presented after careful conservation work in June 2024, are the outcome of a meticulous restoration that reassembled roughly ten thousand fragments. The museum director, Maria Chiara Bettini, describes them as miniature masterpieces for their technical refinement and diverse iconography, reflecting the craftsmanship of Etruscan princely workshops.

Restoration project and team

• Restoration initiative launched in 2021, coordinated by archaeologist Massimo Tarantini (Superintendency for archaeology, fine arts and landscape of Florence, Pistoia and Prato).
• Conservation work carried out by restorers Laura Benucci and Agnese La Torrata on behalf of the company Atlante (Grosseto).
• Reassembly of about 10,000 fragments to reconstruct the original items.
• Project supported by the Swiss Federal Office of Culture and the Tuscany Region.

Project context and related events

The addition of these ivory pieces is part of the "Etruscans 85-25" initiative, promoted by the Tuscany Region together with the Association of Tuscan Archaeological Museums (AMAT), which will culminate in a major exhibition on the Etruscans in 2029. The museum's expansion reinforces Artimino and Carmignano as important centers for archaeological research and cultural promotion.

Local officials expected to attend the presentation include Mayor Edoardo Prestanti and Superintendent Antonella Ranaldi.

Archeofilm: archaeological film series

On the evening of Thursday, March 12 at 9:00 PM, within the educational centre annex in Artimino, the Archeofilm series—organized with the National Museum of Cinema in Turin—will open. The program features an anthology of early short films, including:

• Nello sperone d'Italia. Il Gargano
• Sicilia illustrata (1907)
• Attraverso la Sicilia (1910)
• Riprese in Egitto. Missione archeologica italiana di Gebelein (1911)
• Ruines d'Egypte. Louxor (1913)

These activities highlight the museum's scientific value and its role in promoting research, education and cultural tourism in the region.