Arte della lana e della seta
Item
Country
IT
Name of institution (English)
State Archives of Modena
Name of institution (official language of the state)
Language of name of institution
ita
Contact information: postal address
Corso Cavour 21, 41121 Modena
Contact information: phone number
0039 059230549
Contact information: web address
Contact information: email
as-mo@beniculturali.it
Reference number
Arte della lana e della seta
Type of reference number
Archival reference number
Title (English)
Wool and silk manufacture
Title (official language of the state)
Arte della lana e della seta
Language of title
ita
Creator / accumulator
Camera marchionale estense, later Camera ducale estense
Date(s)
1467/1589
Language(s)
ita
Extent
47 folders
Type of material
Textual Material
Physical condition
Satisfactory
Scope and content
The Arte della lana e della seta series is part of the Contabilità e uffici particolari fonds, which preserves accounting records of the Estense state since the 14th century. The Contabilità e uffici particolari fonds is part of the Camera ducale archives, and it is organised into 13 series, according to the different sources of the accounting records.
The Arte della lana e della seta series comprises accounting records related to the production and trade of silk and woollen cloths from 1467 to 1589. Since the silk and woollen cloths trade was one of the main commercial segments in which the Iberian Jewish merchants invested their capitals, this series is particularly rich in information regarding Sephardic merchants active in the Duchy of Modena in the 16th century. Leoni (2011) transcribed several extracts mentioning Portuguese Jewish merchants involved in the silk and wool commerce in the mid-16th century, including some members of the Abravanel family.
The Arte della lana e della seta series comprises accounting records related to the production and trade of silk and woollen cloths from 1467 to 1589. Since the silk and woollen cloths trade was one of the main commercial segments in which the Iberian Jewish merchants invested their capitals, this series is particularly rich in information regarding Sephardic merchants active in the Duchy of Modena in the 16th century. Leoni (2011) transcribed several extracts mentioning Portuguese Jewish merchants involved in the silk and wool commerce in the mid-16th century, including some members of the Abravanel family.
Archival history
The Contabilità e uffici particolari fonds is part of the Camera ducale, one of the fonds that constituted the Archivio Camerale. The Archivio Camerale and the Archivio segreto estense formed the two Archives of the Este family. They were kept together in the Palazzo Ducale at least since the late 18th century. After the Italian unification, around 1862, both were transferred to the Archivio generale di deposito in Corso Cavour, which became the seat of the government archives, thus renamed Archivio governativo. This transfer marked the birth of the current Archivio di Stato di Modena, which was only so named after 1874.
The Camera ducale fonds was subject to several losses over its history, currently reflected on the serious gaps and interruptions of some fundamental series. Eighteenth-century inventories of the central core of the archive as well as other old catalogues, most of them disorganised, fragmentary and not always corresponding to the current arrangement, are preserved in the Vecchi inventari e note d'archivio fonds.
The Camera ducale fonds was subject to several losses over its history, currently reflected on the serious gaps and interruptions of some fundamental series. Eighteenth-century inventories of the central core of the archive as well as other old catalogues, most of them disorganised, fragmentary and not always corresponding to the current arrangement, are preserved in the Vecchi inventari e note d'archivio fonds.
Administrative / Biographical history
The Camera is considered the oldest body in which the organisation of the Estense state took place. It was responsible for the administration of the income and expenses of every kind pertaining or related to the sovereign or the ruling family, and even individual members of the Este family. At least until the second half of the 18th century, the "fattori general" (general factors) headed the Camera. There was usually two "fattori", who served as proxies of the prince in economic and financial matters. They collegially constituted the Tribunale fattorale, and were assisted by other officers, including one or more "notai camerali" (Chamber notaries), who were responsible for drafting the deeds.
During the 18th century, the structure and functioning of the Camera suffered profound changes, particularly in matters of tax collection. In this framework of institutional renewal, the old system of general "fattori# and, therefore, the Camera government evolved to the Azienda camerale (Chamber treasury), a new structure with a president and councillors. In 1768, the Consiglio di economia (Council of Economics) was created, heading all offices and magistrates with economic and financial responsibilities.
During the 18th century, the structure and functioning of the Camera suffered profound changes, particularly in matters of tax collection. In this framework of institutional renewal, the old system of general "fattori# and, therefore, the Camera government evolved to the Azienda camerale (Chamber treasury), a new structure with a president and councillors. In 1768, the Consiglio di economia (Council of Economics) was created, heading all offices and magistrates with economic and financial responsibilities.
Access points: locations
Access points: persons, families
Access points: subject terms
Access points: document types
System of arrangement
The fonds is divided into 13 series. Records of each series tend to be arranged chronologically.
Links to finding aids
Author of the description
Carla Vieira, 2022
Linked resources
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| Title | Alternate label | Class |
|---|---|---|
| Archivio di Stato di Modena | Collections (official language of the state) |