Celebrating 180 years of Busatti
Journal

Celebrating 180 years of Busatti

Since 1842 the Busatti family have been weaving fabric in the cellars of the Palazzo Morgalanti in Anghiari, Tuscany where their production of artisan linens continues today. Their first machines to card wool date back to the late 1700’s and early 1800’s when, after the French invasion, Napoleonic troops took over the Busatti family general store in Anghiari to manufacture uniforms for the Grande Armée (Grand Army) . To dye them blue they started cultivating Guado (a woad dye similar to indigo), known since Piero della Francesca times who used it to paint his frescoes. The looms which were originally steam powered, were electrified in the 1930’s by Livio Busatti who travelled extensively to learn the art of shuttle woven fabrics and home furnishing designs.

Busatti is synonymous with quality and tradition, but also innovation due to the constantly evolving collections of new designs, colours and styles. They have no minimum order and every piece can be customised to the most detailed specifications from tablecloths, curtains, bath towels and table linens in any shape, size and finish including exclusive embroideries and unique patterns. Each piece is created with the passion and unicity of their craft which is proudly showcased in their original Anghiari workrooms.

The history of the company, owned by the same family for eight generations, is woven into the very fabric of the region’s culture as much as the geography. A very long history starting with the Grand Duchy of Tuscany (Gran Ducato di Toscana), the contribution to Italian unification with a Garibaldi family member (Garibaldi was the General that led the Italian unification in 1871), through two world wars and several economic crises. All this has entitled Busatti to become a member of the Italian Historical Businesses (UICI Unione Imprese Centenarie Italiane), an association born in Florence that invites only Italian companies of excellence, great tradition and history owned by the same family for over 150 years.