Sunday, January 2, 2011

Paolo Olbi


I will never forget the first time I saw the shop windows of Paolo Olbi.


I was walking from La Fenice in Venice to the Museo Fortuny.


There is much eye candy in Venice, but his shop caught my eye.


I took photos of all the wonderful hand printed stationery....that was all I could do, because they were closed! (Little did I know there was another location near the Rialto bridge)


That is the luck of shopping in Venice. Many of the most wonderful things are made in small shops that are only open a few days a week.



I have since been able to amass a fairly large collection of Olbi products.
They do not deal with on-line selling. They prefer to meet their customers and deal with them directly.



I own a note pad, journal, bookmarks and many note cards. The origins of the designs go back to the beginnings of Venice itself.


Moorish and Byzantine ornament are captured with sienna and ochre inks.



I now own everything in the photos posted and I will go back to add to my collection in the spring!

14 comments:

MyFavoriteFrenchAntiques said...

Theresa, You surround yourself with such beauty and craftmanship...you must smile 24/7.
Beauty does that.

I looked over your collection several times...and cannot choose a personal favorite..so many ones that stir the heart.

Gina said...

Dear Theresa, Are you going to Venice, my most favorite city. How could I have missed Paolo Olbi's shops. These designs are so beautiful. Yes, I do see the Moorish influence.
There is a lovely antiques shop behind the Gritty Palace Hotel. The owner, a nice Gentleman, speaks excellent English. I think that you will like his shop.

Theresa Cheek said...

Yes Gina, I will be there in March.

Lynne Rutter said...

oh i just adore this sort of thing. are these printed with a woodblocks or letterpress? they look to have a bit of embossing in the paper.
and next time you are here in san francisco you must check out a cavalli & co.

Mark D. Ruffner said...

This alone makes me want to travel to Venice. When I was in Florence, my major purchase was hand-printed paper and I banked on that (so to speak) before the trip! ... Mark

Regina at Fauxology said...

I love papers and beautiful designs. Thanks for sharing this -- it's incredible the wonderful, precious artistry that can be found in those small shops that haven't yet been touched by the modern age.

Theresa Cheek said...

Letterpress Lynne,,,,you should see their wedding albums....that is what literally made me catch my breath as I was walking by.


Regina-You summed it up perfectly! It is a wonderful time capsule that has not been touched by modernization.

Theresa Cheek said...

Mark-one of my favorite purchases of paper in Florence was a small package of cards for seating at a table. They are from the Opificio della Pietra Dure museo. I have taken some of my marbled papers and talked to the marblers with Il Papiro. I love their papers as well!


Lynne-Cavalli and I go waaaay back! I have always used their bookplates.

Patrick Gracewood said...

The papers are beautiful but what I envy is your ability to casually say, "I was walking from La Fenice in Venice to the Museo Fortuny." That's gold.

Karena said...

Theresa these are just so lovely and intricate!!

xoxo
Karena
Art by Karena

ceecee said...

Uh oh. How did I miss this? This is the millionth and one reason I needed. Taxi!
Catherine

Merisi said...

Oh, yes, Paolo Olbi's work is temptation every time I walk by his shops. His Sienna incs are unmatched.

I am dreaming of escaping for a few days to Venice this spring, but the way my studies are going, chances look very slim.

Unknown said...

Guys, I found a new webpage on facebook for Paolo Olbi, if you're interested, let's pass this wonderful artist on! http://www.facebook.com/pages/Paolo-Olbi-Master-Craftsman-of-Venice/295764197222637?ref=stream

Theresa Cheek said...

Thank you so much Ariadna for the link to his facebook page! I still love all the designs and pick up new pieces each time I am in Venice.

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