Palazzo Madama's Textile Room Reopens in Turin with 50 Works

Palazzo Madama in Turin, home of the Museo Civico d’Arte Antica, has reopened its Sala tessuti (Textile Room) on the second floor, showcasing 50 pieces from its archive of over 4,000 textile artifacts. The collection spans Coptic linen and wool tapestries from Antinoe, 6th-century silk that reached the Mediterranean and adorned imperial and papal courts, and Italian figured velvets with gold and silver threads coveted by Renaissance courts. A highlight is the famous tablecloth depicting the Four Continents, attributed to Milanese embroiderer Caterina Cantoni, known for her double-running stitch technique. Curator Maria Paola Ruffino explained that the display will rotate annually (starting in December, possibly moving to October) to preserve the textiles and align with educational programming. The rotation also depends on restoration progress to expand the pool of available works. Ruffino noted that historical textile reuse was common, with garments repeatedly altered, patched, and donated to churches as ex-votos, later used as sacred vestments. The reopening draws attention to Italy's industrial heritage.