Coppa di Nestore Meets Chinese Art in "Past in Future" at Ischia's Villa Arbusto

From 10 to 14 September, the Museo Archeologico di Pithecusa – Villa Arbusto in Lacco Ameno hosts "Past in Future. L'Esperienza del Bello," an exhibition placing the Coppa di Nestore, one of the Pithecusa museum's most celebrated artifacts, in dialogue with Chinese art. Christian Deydier, an international expert in Chinese archaeology, serves as artistic director. The show pairs Han and Tang dynasty terracottas with European silver from the 17th to 20th centuries, Japanese corals, ivories, and artist jewels. Deydier describes the chance to build a virtuous relationship between artworks from other eras and cultures and the Coppa di Nestore as an extraordinary opportunity, and hopes the appointment becomes an annual event. Antonio D'Ortona and Marinella Veronesi of Silver&Silver present the silver pieces, while Barbara Bassi, in collaboration with Marina Ruggieri, curates two collections of Japanese corals and artist jewels. The choice of Villa Arbusto carries symbolic weight: nearly three thousand years ago Pithecusa was a meeting and exchange point for peoples, cultures, and trade, a spirit "Past in Future" revives by turning the museum into a space of international dialogue. The exhibition is sponsored by the Comune di Lacco Ameno.