The collection of toy soldiers Alberto Predieri

The valuable collection of toy soldiers belonged to Professor Alberto Predieri (1921-2001) is now visible in a permanent exhibition at the Exhibition Area of ​​the office of the Savings Bank (via Bufalini 6) that she had a gift in 2009 by the widow Mrs. Francesca.

The collection, considered among the most important national, includes toy soldiers depicting characters belonging to a large period of time, ranging from '700 to the Italian Risorgimento, and was put together with great passion and skill by the distinguished economist, whose culture ranged from the legal sciences to those historical and art-historical.

Are examples of excellent level, both from the aesthetic and for the degree of fidelity with respect to the reproduced subjects. Some are real pieces, much to be signed by the authors who made them. Others are produced in series, not only in the modeling, but also in the finishing pictorial, although this does not diminish in any way the documentary value and collectible. Still others are now linked to the category of antiques, such as towing a horse production Lucotte. Generally they are soldiers lead alloy, in standard format 54 mm. There are also larger format, in order to offer an even greater usability of the details.

The exhibition, edited by Joseph Adduci, with the graphic design and layout of Stephen Maurri, is structured to combine the emotion of the visual representation of the suggestion of a historical phase through non-usual, that will be a pleasant surprise.

Is developed in 21 showcases three dioramas (ie scenes that synthesize episodes field), starting with a quote from the eighteenth-century Europe, to get up to the Italian Risorgimento and the threshold of the birth of the new unitary state.

The segment of history is the most represented the Napoleonic period, both for the charm that the collector has evidently exercised the beauty and richness of the costumes, is to emphasize that in this period are born and sprout new ideas and new aspirations that will bring Italy to develop a national consciousness.

Michael Lattanzi

By the number 46 - Year II 7/1/2015