Giuncart offers a smorgasbord of objects made in rattan using traditional wicker-weaving techniques. In fact, the store name is a combination of the Italian word for rush or reed “giunco” and “arte”. Despite the unfortunate fact that Giuncart sounds suspiciously like “junk art” in English, this store is most decidedly anything but! Ranging from furniture to hats, Giuncart makes things I didn’t even know came in wicker: shoes and water-pitcher covers, who knew?
The prices are surprisingly affordable, even more so because they are handmade and often cost less than what you would pay for mass-produced items.
But one of my favorite things about Giuncart is the family story behind it. It all began in the 1960s with Mario Giovagnoli.
The family lived upstairs and his son Umberto grew up in the shop, playing there and absorbing the craft as a child, later working alongside his father from the age of thirteen. In 2014 he was named a Master Craftsman by the Mayor of Rome and Giuncart itself has been recognized as one of Rome’s historic Botteghe Storiche (“Historic Shops”).
The family tradition continues and Umberto has since trained both of his daughters as well as his son-in-law , each of them specializing in their own part of the process. Most days, you can find at least three of the family members staffing the store. In addition to a small work area in the back of the store, they also have another area in the back of the building dedicated to wicker and rattan furniture restoration.
Other than the amazing range of products available, another bonus is that many of the bags can be customized with your name or a motto and in your choice of color., which makes them even more fun and a great present or souvenir.
Another of my favorite things about the store is that they offer workshops on the art of basket weaving. After marveling at what this family can do with wicker, I’m adding that to my to -do list!
Planning Your Visit
Giuncart
Via del Pellegrino 93, Rome
(39)0668806204
Monday – Saturday open 10 a.m. – 8 p.m., closed on Sundays
Instagram: @giuncart
www.giuncart.com
