A Guided Antique Tour in Parma Unveils Exceptional Finds

Toma exclaimed, “Chinoiserie chic,” as she spied two cabinets originally designed to flank a fireplace. She explained that Asian antiques are a huge trend this year and are taking prominence in homes, even in minimal interiors; these pieces add patina without creating visual cacophony.

Tori, having lived in Asia and a fan of Chinoiserie, followed Toma into Atelier Du Bois to get a closer look. Tori envisioned these chests as the perfect bedside tables in a master bedroom.

A bird’s-eye view of one of the three exhibit halls featuring antiques, collectibles and jewelry at the spring Mercanteinfiera antiques fair in Parma, Italy.

Antiques dealer Margaret Schwartz was delighted with the whimsical creations at Filippo Gherardi, a booth discovered by the Diva guides a day before the show. “The opulent look of gilded, reclaimed architectural elements repurposed into the most fantastical creations was what pulled me in,” admitted Margaret.

Pieces of driftwood or salvaged wood are made into a fish, horse, bird—or something entirely different. These creatures are then accented with antique gilded fragments.

Diva guide Chiara Zanella spied a handpainted chest of drawers at Gabriele Pintucci from Umbria. Chiara explained to Tori that although it was a functional, everyday piece, it really was special because of the precious pigment used to paint the chest