Nautilus

05/06/2026

Ieri sera, con sprezzo del pericolo per l'imminente tempesta, ho passato una piacevolissima 32a edizione dell’appuntamento “Di antiquariato e di altre patologie” insieme ad un folto e appassionato gruppo di amici del Nautilus.
Grazie per le vostre domande e la vostra curiosità che hanno animato la nostra chiacchierata!
La serata, una condivisione a ruota libera della storia degli oggetti custoditi al Nautilus, è ogni primo giovedì del mese, alle ore 21. Il prossimo bollente appuntamento al fresco della bottega sarà quindi il 2 Luglio. Gratuita, non è necessaria la prenotazione, vi aspetto!
ps se invece 1 mese di attesa vi dovesse risultare insopportabilmente troppo... vi aspetto venerdì 12 Giugno, per l'ultimo appuntamento della stagione di "Torino Horror Story"

04/06/2026

VENERDI' 12 GIUGNO, ORE 21: ULTIMO APPUNTAMENTO DELLA STAGIONE DI "TORINO HORROR STORY"
Una serata in compagnia di Cesare Lombroso e della storia dell’antropologia criminale raccontata attraverso gli oggetti della mia collezione personale. Naturalmente non mancheranno le storie degli oggetti più curiosi custoditi al Nautilus e per finire potrai farti predire il futuro dall’Oracolo della Sibilla.
L’evento è realizzato in collaborazione con la : puoi iscriverti sul sito somewhere.it o non esitare a scrivermi per ulteriori informazioni. Ti aspetto!

27/05/2026

26/05/2026

(Sold) A beautiful engraving depicting the "Vero ritratto della Serva di Dio Rosa Gouona" ("True portrait of the Servant of God Rosa Gouona"), from the end of the 1700s, in a late 1800s wooden frame.
Drawing by Luigi Betti, engraving by Gio. Batt. Betti in Florence in 1766. And therefore the portrait was realized 10 years before her death and an additional point of interest is the "mispelled" surname in "Gouona" or possibly "Govona".
Measurements of the frame is 39,5 x 34,5 cm
Rosa Govone (1716–1776) was a Piedmontese philanthropist and religious figure, founder of the Congregation of the Laywomen of St. John of God, popularly known as 'the Rosine'. Born in Mondovì and later moving to Turin, she dedicated her life to welcoming, educating, and helping poor and orphaned girls find work.
Her social and charitable work continued for centuries and is still active today; the historic Turin headquarters continues to operate by managing a university residence and cultural activities

25/05/2026

FOR SALE (240 euro/each): 2 magnificent flagellum from an Italian monastery of Gianneline nuns in Genova, from the late 1800’s/early 1900’s.
In perfect condition, amazing design.
These instruments were used for corporal mortification and the Catholic Church has a long history of self-punishment and asceticism: self-flagellation was just one of the many acceptable forms of penance. Self-flagellation was used as a way to bleed and experience pain for God. It was also thought of as a way to control emotions, prevent temptation, and discipline one’s self. After all, the sins of the flesh needed to be met with the appropriate punishment of the flesh if there was any hope of receiving forgiveness. Flagellants also saw themselves as being able to achieve a closer relationship with Christ and his Passion.
The “Figlie di Maria Santissima dell'Orto” are a female religious institute. The nuns of this congregation are popularly known as the “Gianelline” because the congregation was founded in Chiavari by the Italian priest Antonio Maria Gianelli (1789–1846). They’re primarily dedicated to missionary work, as well as managing various activities for human and social development.

23/05/2026

You already know... just kiss me!
FOR SALE (120 euro): A lovely specimen of toad by the German maker “PhyWE”, ca. 1960’s.
The specimen is encased in a clear, solid block of resin (often used for educational or demonstration purposes), fully transparent, allowing an unobstructed, three-dimensional view of the embedded biological material.
The label says “Bufo bufo”, the scientific name of the common toad.
A couple of small chips in 2 corners, otherwise in good condition, measurements are 11,4 x 10,7 x 4,7 cm
PhyWE, founded in 1913 in Göttingen, Germany, is a world‑leading manufacturer of educational science equipment

22/05/2026

(Sold) A great set of cigarette cards about palmistry/ palm reading, the complete set of 50 cards, by “CARRERAS LTD – High Class Ci******es – Arcadia Works, London, England”, ca. 1930’s.
These cards were produced in the early 20th century (roughly 1900–1930s) by to***co companies and included in cigarette packs as collectibles and advertising, issued in themed series (like palmistry, animals, sports, military, etc.).
In very good condition, measurements are 7 x 4,2 cm: are you ready to become a fortune teller?

18/05/2026

(Sold) An antique Italian game, "Caccia al diavolo" (Devil Hunt), from the late 1800's.
A great design, with instructions, framed, measurements are 45 x 33 cm

12/05/2026

FOR SALE: 4 great Italian collections of fruits models for teaching purposes. representing different varieties in an amazing realistic way, life size, ca. 1950’s:
1) 10 models with different varieties of apples, with the original labels with variety name, measurements are 46 x 25, height ca. 13 cm
2) 10 models with other different varieties of apples, measurements are 46 x 25, height ca. 13 cm
3) 10 models with different varieties of pears, measurements are 46 x 25, height ca. 13 cm
4) 9 models with different varieties of peaches (1 missing model has been replaced with an apple model), measurements are 34 x 33, height ca. 13 cm
The fruits have an inner papier machè core, covered with a thin layer of wax, hand painted.
Each collection is hosted in a wooden display with a glass cover.
They’ve been manufactured by “V. Toffoli & Figli” in Calalzo - Cadore (Italy).
They’re in almost perfect condition, I can only notice a couple of superficial hairlines (see pics) and some minor lacks (a missing latch in one case).
The company “V. Toffoli & Sons” was founded in 1898 by Vincenzo Toffoli in Calalzo di Cadore (Belluno). Initially created to produce wooden toys, the activity was almost immediately extended to other sectors, favoring furniture and teaching aids for schools. A point of reference for all Italian schools (particularly for Technical Institutes for Surveyors and Agricultural Institutes), the company “V. Toffoli & Sons” dominated the educational model market for years, with a catalog of about three thousand items, constantly updated, and capable of meeting the new educational needs.

11/05/2026

A token of love from a mysterious admirer: will he have managed to win Rachelina's heart?
(Sold) An amazing example of Scherenschnitte, which means "scissor cuts" in German, is the art of paper cutting design.
The artwork often has rotational symmetry within the design, and common forms include silhouettes, valentines, and love letters. The art tradition was founded in Switzerland and Germany in the 16th century and was brought to Colonial America in the 18th century by Swiss and German immigrants who settled primarily in Pennsylvania.
This delicate artwork of an incredible manual skill features a bucolic landscape, animated by a few figures, enclosed in a precious box gilded frame.
But what excites me if possible even more its the sweet dedication on the back:
"Alla Gentil Signora
Rachelina De Bernardi Mapelli
"Gradisca il piccolo Dono
E non curi di saper
Il Donator chi sia"
"To the Kind Lady
Rachelina De Bernardi Mapelli
"Accept the little Gift
And do not worry about knowing
Who the Giver is"
Measurements are 33 x 30 cm