In 1982 Angelo Mangiarotti was called in Volterra to renew the forms of the handcraft local production of alabaster objects, always characterized by a widespread and bizarre eclecticism.
The basic sketches, the drawings, and the tips about how to correct thickness, roundness and transparency are by Mangiarotti, as well as the intransigent request to use the scaglione alabaster, typical stone of Volterra, more and more rare and precious.
It is in this way that Axia and Velathri collections born: unpublished forms that spring from a highly innovative interpretation of the ancient material, which is animated by new and surprising transparency and brightness effects.

From Axia collection: three rare vases in scaglione alabaster, manufactured by Società Cooperativa Artieri dell’Alabastro, Volterra, 1982.
Sizes: diameter 28xh.9 – 20xh.7 cm.

Axia collection: heliographic copy of the technical drawing with original stamp by Angelo Mangiarotti.

From Axia collection: rare vase with cover in scaglione alabaster, manufactured by Società Cooperativa Artieri dell’Alabastro, Volterra, 1982.
Sizes: diameter 18xh.14 cm.

Axia collection: heliographic copy of the technical drawing with original stamp by Angelo Mangiarotti.

The objects of Axia and Velathri collections were never collected in a catalogue but many of those creations can be found in the book Volterra Alabastro Oggi, published in 1990 by Ilario Luperini, containing, in addition to Mangiarotti’s projects, also those of Enzo Mari, Ugo Nespolo, Natalie Du Pasquier, Ugo La Pietra, Carla Venosta, Prospero Rasulo and many others.

Come and discover this amazing history of Italian creativity in our historical department and in our bookshop.