Marforio Dragon Lamp

Every day, unsuspecting tourist suffle by this magnificent and elaborate lamp. Known as the  Marforio Dragon Lamp, this obscure black dragon, made of iron, has been holding three colorful umbrellas since the late 1800s. The detailed dragon has a long neck covered in feathery scales and a kind, inviting presence. 

The dragon was originally a signpost for the famous Marforio leather shop which was, at the time,  the oldest leather goods store in Italy. Started in 1875 and run by the same family for 5 generations, the store is now gone. While there is no clear history on who commissioned the dragon. But it is known that the Marforio leather shop originally sold umbrillas which seems to be a clear connection to the dragon’s prize.

Marforio closed sometime in the late 2010’s, but the dragon lives on as a living relic of Venice’s commercial past.