Heritage and materials: a new library for the Stibbert Museum

An eclectic villa on the Montughi hill in Florence, surrounded by an extensive park, houses the remarkable collection of Frederick Stibbert (1838–1906), a passionate collector of Anglo-Italian descent. Weapons and armour of European, Islamic and Oriental origin, porcelain, tapestries, engravings and costumes form the core of what is now the house museum bearing his name. Stibbert himself conceived the museum within his villa during his lifetime, subsequently donating it to the community. A journey through highly distinctive interiors and theatrical displays takes visitors across different historical periods and cultures, while preserving the character of a private residence that its founder intended.

The museum’s collection is complemented by a library that also includes engravings, photographs and periodicals. Its original holdings of 2,700 volumes, comprising Frederick Stibbert’s personal library and a growing collection enriched by new acquisitions, provide further opportunities for study and exploration. The library now occupies a new location in the renovated rooms of the former stables, inaugurated in November 2025. The project was completed thanks to funding from the Municipality of Florence and Fondazione CR Firenze. Alongside the architectural restoration, the work also included the conservation of historic furnishings, books and part of the building services. Tall mahogany bookshelves house the library’s collection, which includes notable treatises on arms and armour and manuals devoted to the history of costume. Meanwhile, the new flooring establishes a harmonious balance with the historic surroundings, giving the renovated spaces a distinctive contemporary character.

The Quartz Essence collection by Caesar, in the Wild variant and 60 × 60 cm format, offers a contemporary interpretation of quartz-rich natural stone through porcelain stoneware.The result is a uniform, continuous surface extending between the specialist reading room and the area dedicated to cultural activities. Delicate veining inspired by natural stone adds visual lightness to the interiors while enhancing their brightness. The project effectively redefines the visual and functional identity of the spaces, which are also intended to host research activities and meetings. It follows in the footsteps of other projects involving Caesar, including the redevelopment and renovation of the multipurpose hall and entrance to the Biblioteca delle Oblate in Florence, a library housed in a former fourteenth-century convent.