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1853 Naples
| Name: | Solenne Pubblica Esposizione di Arti e Manifatture (Solemn Public Exhibition…) |
| Dates: | 1 May – ? |
| Days: | |
| Venue: | Sited at a municipal building in the Tarsia district, today known as Palazzo Spinelli di Tarsia |
| Theme: | To present the best examples of the technical and artistic knowledge of the continental part of the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies |
| Exhibitors: | |
| Awards: | |
| Visitors: | |
| Legacy: |
This is considered as the first universal exhibition in pre-unification Italy and took place in Naples, opening on 1 May 1853. The exhibition was promoted by Ferdinand II of Bourbon to present the best examples of the technical and artistic knowledge of the continental part of the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies.
In December 1852 Ferdinando entrusted the project to a Commission chaired by Cav. Felice Santangelo, President of the Royal Institute of Encouragement of Naples, a scientific affiliation founded in 1806 by Giuseppe Bonaparte. He was supported by three members drawn from among the distinguished engineers and scientists of the time.
A municipal building of the Tarsia district, now known as Palazzo Spinelli di Tarsia, which housed the Royal Institute of Encouragement, was chosen as the site. In the central space of the building a gallery was set up about 30m long and almost 15m wide, to which two other enclosures of about 170 sq m were added, providing over 1000 sq m.
Before opening the rooms to the public, once set up, they were visited by the Royal Family, who congratulated the work done with the Minister of the Interior, Commendatore Murena.
The exhibition, which was visited by thousands of people, was divided into fivr sections:
The first presented textile products – yarns, silk, cotton and woollen fabrics, and it featured manufacturers who were spinning with hydraulic turbines.
The second section was for mechanical industry – foundries, makers of steam engines, turbines, water wheels, hydraulic motors and miscellaneous metal products including surgical instruments, orthopaedic instruments, tools for sculptors…
The third was for the arms industry.
The fourth was for brass, bronze and other metal products – including silver and gold filigree work.
The fifth was for ‘scientific’ instruments – this featured motors, pumps, telegraphs, fire engines, agricultural equipment, carriages and buggies.
A commission reviewed the products and awarded medals for significant exhibits. Many foreign exhibitors were listed.
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