Page 175 - Panjek, Aleksander, Jesper Larsson and Luca Mocarelli, eds. 2017. Integrated Peasant Economy in a Comparative Perspective: Alps, Scandinavia and Beyond. Koper: University of Primorska Press
P. 175
the equilibrium of the mountain economy in the apennines
pasturelands (Doganella d’Abruzzo), being of lower quality than material
produced from the transhumance, and was used in the widespread manu-
facture of rough fabrics (panni bassi, carfagni and neri) (Pierucci 1988, 893–
908). These products were not only meant for local consumption, but were
also intended for export in the neighbouring areas coming under the Papal
territories (Bulgarelli Lukacs 2013, 106–16). There were also corporations in
the cities of the area, whose existence is documented in Campli as well as in
Teramo (Statuto Municipale della Città di Campli 1973, cap. 17; Savini 1889,
134). But there was no single specialised production – in the same area there
was also linen (Campli) and silk (Teramo) as well as paper in Sulmona (Bul-
garelli Lukacs 1998, 322).
We can also speak of a proto-industry in Abruzzo silk entering the
market in a semi-finished state. In the Middle Ages, the city of Sulmona
was known for a long, fine yarn used by manufacturers in Florence (Hide-
toshi 1986, 73). In the 17th century, an increase in silk consumption was re-
flected in the import/export flows to and from Abruzzo (Bulgarelli Luk-
acs 2013, 102–4). Production was decentralised over rural areas, and yarn
was provided by the foothill centres in Pacentro, Prezza, San Valentino
and Caramanico, where the presence of merchants who advanced capital
against yarn is well documented (Bulgarelli Lukacs 1989, 132–43). The or-
ganisation of work appears to be differentiated between cocoon breeders,
master spinners, and apprentices. In addition to the semi-finished product,
raw material in the form of cocoons was in great demand, especially from
the Marche region, and in particular from the town of Camerino, which in
the mid sixteenth century was the only full cycle manufacturing centre in
the Marche area (Di Stefano 2011, 147–51).
The town of Teramo and its rural area responded to that demand by
supplying the spinning mills with cocoons and allowing them to intercept
and possibly rake the entire output in the area. Information on the silk sec-
tor in Abruzzo and links with the manufacturers of the Marche region is
still very poor, with only a few clues coming down because of direct supply
mechanisms from the source evading government control. However, it can
be observed that the development of manufacturing in the Marche would
be a decisive factor in a process that would characterise Adriatic Abruz-
zo for centuries. The demand for cocoons led to the relegation of this area
to a subordinate position compared with the Marche region, and its com-
mercial physiognomy would remain largely hidden. This meant obeying
its rules, carrying out only the initial processing stage, slipping more and
173
pasturelands (Doganella d’Abruzzo), being of lower quality than material
produced from the transhumance, and was used in the widespread manu-
facture of rough fabrics (panni bassi, carfagni and neri) (Pierucci 1988, 893–
908). These products were not only meant for local consumption, but were
also intended for export in the neighbouring areas coming under the Papal
territories (Bulgarelli Lukacs 2013, 106–16). There were also corporations in
the cities of the area, whose existence is documented in Campli as well as in
Teramo (Statuto Municipale della Città di Campli 1973, cap. 17; Savini 1889,
134). But there was no single specialised production – in the same area there
was also linen (Campli) and silk (Teramo) as well as paper in Sulmona (Bul-
garelli Lukacs 1998, 322).
We can also speak of a proto-industry in Abruzzo silk entering the
market in a semi-finished state. In the Middle Ages, the city of Sulmona
was known for a long, fine yarn used by manufacturers in Florence (Hide-
toshi 1986, 73). In the 17th century, an increase in silk consumption was re-
flected in the import/export flows to and from Abruzzo (Bulgarelli Luk-
acs 2013, 102–4). Production was decentralised over rural areas, and yarn
was provided by the foothill centres in Pacentro, Prezza, San Valentino
and Caramanico, where the presence of merchants who advanced capital
against yarn is well documented (Bulgarelli Lukacs 1989, 132–43). The or-
ganisation of work appears to be differentiated between cocoon breeders,
master spinners, and apprentices. In addition to the semi-finished product,
raw material in the form of cocoons was in great demand, especially from
the Marche region, and in particular from the town of Camerino, which in
the mid sixteenth century was the only full cycle manufacturing centre in
the Marche area (Di Stefano 2011, 147–51).
The town of Teramo and its rural area responded to that demand by
supplying the spinning mills with cocoons and allowing them to intercept
and possibly rake the entire output in the area. Information on the silk sec-
tor in Abruzzo and links with the manufacturers of the Marche region is
still very poor, with only a few clues coming down because of direct supply
mechanisms from the source evading government control. However, it can
be observed that the development of manufacturing in the Marche would
be a decisive factor in a process that would characterise Adriatic Abruz-
zo for centuries. The demand for cocoons led to the relegation of this area
to a subordinate position compared with the Marche region, and its com-
mercial physiognomy would remain largely hidden. This meant obeying
its rules, carrying out only the initial processing stage, slipping more and
173
