Enea Luciano Bracciali: Milan's legendary junk dealer and his cabinet of wonders

At Via Arcivescovo Romilli 11 in Milan's Corvetto district, the archive, studio, and workshop of Enea Luciano Bracciali (born 1940), one of the city's most historic junk dealers, spans 400 square meters. Now open by appointment only as the market has shifted online, it is managed by Mauro Colombini, Bracciali's partner of 35 years. Colombini describes the trade: they buy almost exclusively from private individuals, selecting items that give an emotional jolt and are sellable to a high-end clientele. They avoid generic 1950s furniture, focusing on unique pieces like a non-standard magazine rack. Currently, 1960s and 1970s design is in high demand, though they maintain a Liberty section. All items are authentic and perfectly restored. Colombini recalls every piece's origin. Bracciali also designed lamps and toys from objets trouvés, creating over 700 toys for disabled children, some exhibited at the Triennale di Milano a decade ago. The business once thrived on trips to France and England, especially to the Marché aux puces in Saint-Ouen-sur-Seine, where the flea market originated. Colombini notes that today people have more tools to know values, making bargains rarer. Bracciali built a fortune from nothing starting in the early 1970s. Colombini, now 70, doubts the business can continue without them.