officina profumo-farmaceutica
di santa maria novella
the history of the officina is linked to the church and
monastry of the same name, the official opening date
of the chemist's shop is, however, 1612.
its premises, rich in magnificent works of art,
bear witness to its unusual history.
the large sales hall, with neo-gothic furnishings,
was realised in 1848; its grandeur and solemnity recall
that it was originally a majestic gothic chapel,
built during the 14th century: of this, there remains the
small sacristy, that was completely frescoed around
the end of the same century.
the room features a frescoed, vaulted ceiling illustrating
the four corners of the earth.
the decoration is highly ornate, and the building is filled
with a subtle, old apothecary scent.
adjacent, there is the luminous green hall (sala verde),
the appearance of which has been preserved since the
end of the 18th century, along with the enamelled and
gilded furnishings, the collection of paintings and,
above all, precious majolica chemist's jars.
from this hall the visitor passes into the old spice shop
(antica spezieria), the first sales hall that was restructured
between the end of the 17th century and the middle of the
18th century. the furniture there is walnut, with rich pediments
and gold inlays and highlights, and the vaulted ceiling is
decorated with stuccoes and gilding.
the old dispensing chemistry, where all kinds of herbs are
available, has displays featuring antique instruments and
apothecary jars.
this and the other museum rooms of the officina
profumo-farmaceutica di santa maria novella can be
visited in small groups on appointment.
the officina profumo-farmaceutica di santa maria novella
is located at via della scala 16, florence.
http://www.smnovella.it
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the sales room
the sala verde
the antica spezieria |
