The Carillon Collection of Enrico Salierno
2022-01-01 08:00 - 2028-12-31 17:00 UTC
The second floor of Villa Fiorentino houses a permanent exhibition of music boxes donated to the city of Sorrento by cabinetmaker Enrico Salierno.
The latter, a native of the historic center of Sorrento, found his fortune in America with the art of Sorrentine marquetry.
Between the 1960s and 1970s he opened a workshop in Los Angeles in which he devoted himself to the import and export of typical Sorrento artifacts (caskets, paintings, game tables etc.) on which various inlaid works were applied, the artistic and manual expression of the local craft tradition. Also included in the manufacturing process was the assembly of music boxes.
From year to year the cabinetmaker, in the company of his wife, would return here to Sorrento to reunite with his family and friends, but above all to prepare orders to be sent to his workshop in the US.
Having come to the end of his professional cycle, Enrico Salierno, as a sign of gratitude to his native land and its craftsmen, decided to donate to the city of Sorrento a part of his patrimony that best represented “his” world of origin: a very rare and valuable collection of music boxes, collected during his years of activity, mounted on fine furniture of both Sorrento and international origin.
Subsequent to Enrico’s death, thanks to the invaluable collaboration of his wife and fraternal friend Mario Cimmino, as well as the Sorrento Foundation and the Sorrento Inlay Craftsmen’s Union, it was possible to conclude all the complex bureaucratic and transportation procedures for the artifacts from Los Angeles to Sorrento.
All that was needed was a stable location where all these works could be kept on display: what better place than Villa Fiorentino?
The Sorrento Foundation, therefore, is proud to dedicate this entire space to the Salierno Collection on the second floor of the villa.
The room is entitled “Enrico Salierno, artisan of Sorrento”.

Part of the Salierno collection
Detail of the cylinder a music box
Detail of a music box mounted on a cabinet
Some of the music boxes donated by Enrico Salierno
Sorrentine Craft Tradition meets the art of music boxes

Access to the exhibition is included in the cost of the Villa Fiorentino ticket.

The Art of Sorrento Inlay: Permanent Exhibition at Villa Fiorentino
2022-01-01 08:00 - 2028-12-31 17:00
Inside Villa Fiorentino, the historic residence in the heart of Sorrento and home to the Fondazione Sorrento, visitors can enjoy a permanent exhibition dedicated to Sorrento wood inlay, one of the finest examples of Italian craftsmanship.
This permanent exhibition was created to promote and preserve this centuries-old artistic tradition, which made Sorrento famous worldwide for the skills of its woodworkers.
The project was strongly supported by President Gianluigi Aponte and Managing Director Mario Gargiulo, and realized in collaboration with the Sorrento Inlay Craftsmen Association, responsible for the setup.
“The Art of Sorrento Inlay” permanent exhibition guides visitors through the intricate process of inlay work, which involves combining thin veneers of wood in various colors with precious materials like mother-of-pearl, ivory, and metals.
Then, the result is a refined mosaic of wood, forming intricate images and elegant decorative patterns.
Sorrento’s inlay tradition flourished during the 19th and early 20th centuries, especially during the Grand Tour era, when artists and intellectuals from all over Europe visited the Sorrento Peninsula.
The foundation of the School for the Inlay and Carving Industry in 1886 played a key role in consolidating this art on an international level.
The exhibition includes unique pieces such as furniture, boxes, panels, and decorative objects that testify to the beauty and precision of Sorrento’s inlay.
Today, although fewer artisans remain, they are focused on producing high-quality items that keep this remarkable tradition alive.
Useful Info
Location: Villa Fiorentino – Corso Italia, 53 – Sorrento (NA)Opening hours:
Monday – Friday from 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM and 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM;
Saturday and Sunday from 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM and 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM
Free admission
Info: +39 081 878 2284 – info@fondazionesorrento.com
