A step towards the old

It could remain a rock, past the window. Or perhaps I should say marble. Okay, is via Margutta, and you can expect everything. But it happens every day to see exposed busts, heads (calm, no effect pulp) and bas-reliefs as in the British Museum's Elgin room where they make a fine show the Parthenon Marbles.

Welcome, gentlemen, in the reign of Valerio Turks. Unique antique "archaeological" the most artistic way of Rome, one of the few in the city, the third generation of a family that has made art his life. "It was my grandfather, the first horse in 1950, to transform his passion into business - says the Turks - but then with my father's attention has shifted almost exclusively on archeology. And I followed his way. Maybe because as a child I breathed quell'antichità then me so passionate. a difficult market, not only because of the current crisis, it is impossible to improvise. Even for those who graduated in archeology. "

A market especially delicate, since often the source of the ancient works may be at least questionable. "We need a thorough knowledge of all laws affecting the industry - continues Turks - that with the advent of the Carabinieri Nucleo Patrimonio Artistico has undergone a profound and positive revolution. The illicit market of archeology, which for years has damaged our image, has finally found the appropriate counter, which I personally try to support the Police by sending photos of everything I buy, so that they are aware of whatever passes through my hands. Whether or not interest the Superintendency: the latter in the former case, affix a notice to the works from that point on should be 'tracked'. A procedure, traceability, which I take to all the works, to give them a sort of guarantee origin.

Certainly, one of the first thoughts that come to mind to see a place like this is why these works are not in a museum? "For two simple reasons: the first is a law in 1939 defining a watershed between what can and can not be sold. Basically, everything that has been and will be found after that date must be delivered to the state, while this at that time was 'light' can be freely bought and sold. And of course, we come to the second ground, the Superintendent does not have the money to buy all the art found first of '39. The law has, however, eliminated all the distortions, and so often we think about the ancient art market with suspicion. dell'autodenuncia One solution might be, as with the arms at that point, all that would outlaw not be denounced. "

In lean times, there are still people who invest in art? "Sure, the market is in crisis. But there are still good deals. And then this job give you the satisfaction to understand, to appreciate things that today are often not appreciated by younger generations. The modern tendency to replace everything, and is good. Not because I have anything against modern, but because it means losing a piece of home. Some people told me, 'How disgusting, how do you tene' statue is headless. " I am a little 'surface. We hope that the situation does not deteriorate with the new generations. "

Distrust of the young? "Not at all, only that it is sad to see that some things fall by the wayside. As the solidarity and true friendship between us merchants in the area. Margutta First off was a common house, a building that now seems hard to agree . We can not lose our leadership: we are the way of art and antique dealer. That we were 40 years ago, and that we must continue to be. Together for the common good. "